CEBU, Philippines - A fire has gutted a general merchandise store Friday evening at the Madridejos Public Market in Barangay Talangnan leaving an estimated damage of P100,000.
PO2 Michael Forrosuelo, desk officer of Madridejos Police Station, said the fire hit the store owned by Emercito Turno, 52, at 9:32 p.m. The town's fire station was alerted of the fire alarm at 9:44 p.m.
Forrosuelo said that fire trucks were immediately dispatched but was already too late to save Turno's store. The responding firemen, however, were able to prevent the fire from spreading to other stalls at the public market.
Forrosuelo said that the firemen declared the fire under control after 10 minutes. According to Forrosuelo, fire investigators believe that the fire may have been triggered by electrical short circuit.
"Sirado na mora'g nabiyaan, mora'g wala nila i-safety usa ba, kalit kalit lang nasunog," Forrosuelo said.
The fire hit while the town braces for typhoon Ruby.— FPL (FREEMAN)