Batangas fire destroys P340 million property

BATANGAS ­– Up to P340 million worth of property were destroyed in an overnight fire that struck a warehouse of a cable company in Tuy, Batangas on Friday.

The fire, which broke out at past 10 a.m., reached fourth alarm before it was declared under control at 11:40 a.m. yesterday, according to Batangas Fire Marshal Dennis Molo. No one was reported injured or killed in the incident.

The fire des-troyed the warehouse of the Philippine Fiber Optic Cable Network in Barangay Guinhawa.

Molo said firefighters had difficulty putting out the flames due to highly flammable materials stored in the warehouse.

He said the warehouse had piles of power cables and materials made of polyvinyl chloride or PVC.

Molo said thick smoke prevented firefighters from getting near the area.

Two houses were damaged in the incident.

Authorities had to evacuate the residents due to the stench and smoke coming from the fire.

Molo said 15 fire trucks from across Batangas and Cavite as well as Metro Manila responded to the incident.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the blaze.