Comar allows Robinson's to resume operation

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Fire Department has already given the go signal to the management of the Robinson’s Place to clean the fire scene after its investigators have completed collecting debris samples for laboratory examination to determine the cause of the fire that ate up a boutique inside the mall last Sunday.

Fire Marshall Aderson Comar said he has given clearance to the Robinson’s mall management to resume its business operation.

The mall management has also allowed its tenants to do the general cleaning. But, Comar said some of the employees told him that they have not received a word yet from the management when to report back for work.

Ruth Aguilar, the mall’s assistant administration officer, said they still have to do inventory of the damages. The operation of the adjacent Midtown Hotel also remained suspended as of yesterday.

Robinson’s Place was gutted by fire last Sunday. The blaze started at the stall rented by Bench in the ground floor.

Roldan Ventura, stock clerk of Bench boutique, said he saw the electric wires spark at the boutique’s ceiling before the fire started.

The flames immediately ate up the whole boutique and partially destroyed Mang Inasal fast food chain beside it.

The department store and the rest of the occupants of the four-storey building were not affected by the fire except of a thick smoke hovering inside it. – (FREEMAN)