Bed-ridden man killed in Punta Princesa fire

CEBU, Philippines — A 70-year-old bed-ridden man died while two others were injured in a fire that gutted a roast chicken or “lechon manok” outlet on F. Llamas in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City Friday afternoon.

The casualty was identified as Cesar Cazar, who was reportedly alone on the second floor of his house when the fire broke out, said Fire Officer 2 Emerson Arceo, investigator of the case.

The injured individuals, on the other hand, were Gerald Chu, 27, and Arnold Cabudsan, 36.

Cabudsan sustained third-degree burns on his head and lower extremities, while Chu sustained second-degree burns on his abdominal area, face, and upper and lower extremities.

Based on the initial investigation, the fire started when the outlet’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank reportedly exploded.

But Arceo said fire investigators are still digging deeper into the incident.

The fire was reported at 5:13 p.m. and was raised to a second alarm at 5:18 p.m. It was placed under control at 05:24 p.m., and it was completely put out at 06:22 p.m.

Damage to properties was estimated at P800,000. — KQD (FREEMAN)