Fire razes department store in ZC

ZAMBOANGA CITY -A three-hour fire razed a commercial establishment in this southern port city, a Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) official said Friday.

Chief Insp. Jacqueline Ortega, Zamboanga City Fire District (ZCFD) marshal, said the fire, which

reached Task Force Bravo, broke out around 8:55 p.m. Thursday and razed the Budgetwise department store at the corner of Veterans Avenue and Campaner Street, Barangay Zone 3, this city.

Ortega said they raised the alarm due to the huge structure full of combustible materials and located in a residential area. The department store sells grocery products, appliances, furniture, and other household products.

The fire originated from a spark in the store’s generator that rapidly spread and engulfed the department store.

Ortega said at least 14 water tankers of the Zamboanga City Water District, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, YL Fishing, KCC Mall de Zamboanga, the Chinese Fire Volunteer Brigade, and other fire trucks from nearby fire substations responded to the call.

Ortega said that fire out was declared around 11:57 p.m., adding they have yet to determine the worth of properties damaged by the fire.

Meanwhile, ZCFD said the incident Thursday night was the 59th fire they recorded since January this year.

The fire department has advised the residents to take precautionary measures to prevent fire incidents, especially during the dry months. (PNA)