SURIGAO City––Fire gutted the upper floor of the 27-year old church building of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in this city on Tuesday morning.
The church is located along Narcisco corner Sarvida Streets.
Fire Officer 3 Reil Politcher, fire investigator of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Surigao City, said the fire started around 9 am and their fire trucks arrived after 20 minutes.
Politcher said they were still investigating the cause of the fire.
Pastor Diosdado Casera, administrative minister of UCCP-Surigao Central, said the fire started at the control room and was possibly caused by a short circuit.
He said at least P6 million in property, including expensive musical instruments, were damaged.
Casera said churchgoers could attend Sunday’s worship service at the ground floor.
Afraid that the fire would spread, Merly Cedro, a teacher at the Surigao City Elementary School dashed to her house nearby to get her belongings.
“I immediately went to my house and took everything I can,” she said adding she left her pupils at the school.
“Good thing the fire was put out by firefighters otherwise I could have lost my things which have sentimental value,” she said.
No one was reported injured during the incident.
The fire caused a massive traffic at the downtown area.
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