By NITZ ARANCON
and JOEY NACALABAN
Correspondent .
A BAKER died and some P300 thousand in properties were destroyed after two fires broke out in communities in barangays Puerto and Cugman yesterday and the other night, respectively.
At least 50 houses in Zone 5, Barangay Puerto were razed to the ground at around 10:45 am yesterday. Authorities estimated that around 100 people, including children, lost their homes to the fire.
SFO2 Gilbert Mordeno said firefighters were able to contain the fire at around 12:30 pm, and declared a “fire out” at 1:35 pm.
Mordeno said the fire started at the L and L Bakery owned by former Barangay Puerto councilor Dariza Geludo.
He said Geludo’s master baker, Edwin Cael, 40, was about to start baking but when he lit the oven, the liquefied petroleum gas tank suddenly exploded. Cael was among those who rushed outside of the bakery while the fire engulfed the bakery.
However, Cael went inside the bakery for still unknown reason.
Mordeno said Cael was later found dead inside the toilet of the bakery while they were sifting through the debris at around 4 pm.
He said they will still continue with their investigations.
Mordeno pegged the damage to property at the Puerto fire at P200 thousand.
According to Puerto barangay chairman Ian Achas the fire victims are temporarily housed at the Puerto covered court.
Less than 24 hours prior to the Puerto incident, a fire gutted down a hardware, an eatery, and a convenience store in Barangay Cugman.
At about 8:25 pm Monday, the blaze at Zone 2, Barangay Cugman also damaged a pawnshop.
Fire Insp. Willy Tan said the fire was placed under control at 9 pm and he pegged the damage at P100 thousand.
Fire investigator Jezrel Lozaga identified the victims as Michael Ladao, owner of Ladao RM; Fernan Gaabon, proprietor of Isan Merchandizer; and Lords Convenience owner Pablito Micabas Gaabon. Gaabon estimated the damage to his, which includes a vehicle, to P5 million.
Authorities could not yet point out the origin of the fire but people in the area said it started at the toilet of Isan Marketing.
Gaabon denied it. He said his family had long abandoned the toilet.
“Ang luyo anang among CR mao gyud ang kusina ni Ladao mao tong nakaingon ang nakakita nga sa maong lugar nag sugod ang kalayo,” Gaabon explained.
Ladao maintained that the fire started at Gaabon’s establishment.
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