As another fire hits warehouse in Liloan, Cebu: 1 dies as boat catches fire

CEBU, Philippines — One died when a passenger vessel caught fire at sea while traveling to Bato, Leyte from Ubay, Bohol afternoon on Sunday, June 26, 2022.

The casualty was identified as Adolfo Rañola, 53, a resident of Poblacion, Trinidad, Bohol.

Two were injured but were attended to immediately upon rescue, the Coast Guard said.

There were 165 people on board – passengers and vessel crew members – when M/V Mama Mary Cloe caught fire still in the vicinity of Bohol.

They were forced to jump into the water.

As of 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the Coast Guard and boats sailing in the area rescued at least 160 people. One was missing, as of this writing.

According to the Coast Guard, at least 99 were brought to Hilongos, Leyte. At least 25 others were brought to Tugas, Carlos P. Garcia while 34 others were brought to Gaus Island.

“Naging mabilis ang pag-rescue sa mga crew at pasahero sa tulong ng mga motorbanca na naglalayag sa katubigan nang maganap ang insidente,” the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard categorized what happened as a “fire on board incident.”

The Coast Guard received the alarm at 10 minutes from 1 p.m. It was the vessel’s captain who called the Coast Guard Substation ni Ubay, Bohol.

As of 7:30 p.m., some of the survivors who were brought to Carlos P. Garcia in Bohol were allowed to go home. The others were accommodated by the local government unit.

M/V Mama Mary Cloe had a capacity of 236 people. It submerged as rescue was ongoing.

Liloan Fire

Meanwhile, a massive fire hit a factory at the back of the public market in Barangay Jubay, Liloan, Cebu also on Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters received the alarm at 3:08 p.m. and raised it to third alarm 28 minutes later. A fourth alarm was raised by 3:57 p.m.

Task Force Bravo was hoisted by 4:07 p.m. and the fire was placed under control by 5:20 p.m.

Five fire trucks from Cebu City responded to the alarm.

In an initial report, firefighters identify the warehouse as that of Shaldan International owned by Ernesto Dakay, Jr.

As of this writing, investigation was ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, as well as the amount of damage it has cost. —  Dominic I. Dilao, Rubie Mae T. Sollano, JMO (FREEMAN)