2nd alarm, left 76 families homeless
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| A certain house caught on fire. During the second alarm fire at Endrina Street,San Carlos City, Negros Occidental last January 12, 2013. Photo Credits : Joselito Labrador, Jr. |
76 familes with 249 total number of individuals(DSWD records) were affected during the second alarm fire at Endrina Street last, January 12, 2013. The fire started at 11:30 AM in Magnolia Flores' Residence and burned 45 houses according to BFP's spot investigation.
The San Carlos Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responded immediately since the towering smoke was very conspicuous at their office's viewpoint (BFP is situated at Ylagan St., a few blocks away from the affected area).
Fire-fighting obstacles
The BFP's response was not enough since at the moment of the fire trucks' arrival, the fire was already raging and enveloping a large area of houses. This led to an estimated damage of P 1-million. (Source: BFP)
The fire fighters along with some volunteers confessed that these three factors: wind, light combustible materials and the structural framework of houses and it's location allowed the fire to easily engulf most of the houses and valuable properties.
Responses for Second alarm fire
One-alarm fire (first alarm), two-alarm fire (second alarm), and multiple-alarm fire (general alarm) are categories of fires indicating the level of response by local authorities, with an elevated number of alarms indicating increased commitment of resources. It must be based on the number of units (firetrucks for example) and firefighters responding to a fire; the more vehicles and firefighters responding, the higher the alarm designation.
With the help of additional fire truck units from SCBI, Gamboa-Hermanos, Chinese fire brigade, San Jose fire brigade and also from the Municipality of Calatrava, the alarm designation was referred to as a "two-alarm or second alarm" fire.
At exactly 1:00 PM, the BFP declared fire-out, this means that the fire was extinguished completely!
Evacuation
The fire victims were temporarily evacuated at Congressman V. Gustilo Sr. Memorial School (CVGSMS) popularly known as "South". They were supposed to be transferred at the City Auditorium for a more spacious area on day two (January 13, 2013), however the comfort rooms cannot accommodate all families. So it was decided that they will be transferred at the School of the Future's (SOF) new building. There are 54 families staying at SOF while the others reside with their nearby relatives.
The affected families are still currently staying at SOF and continuously receiving donations of all kinds from different sectors both public and private. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officers are accountable for the food preparations and the distribution of donated goods to the families, while the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) officers and volunteers are responsible for giving first-aid, medical treatment, and logging the activities inside the evacuation center.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. led officials in distributing goods and tarps to the affected families, including P5, 000 per family for shelter assistance. The local government of San Carlos City also extended their help by providing financial assistance to the victims.
Victims’ Sentiments
Most victims are still dreading for their lost homes, especially those who do not have relatives they can share roofs with.
"Mamalit pa tani ko ug idungag nga gamit sa among balay, wala na lang nako dayuna. Sakit kaayo sa akong buot nga tanang gamit nga akong gipondar, na-ugdaw jud!" said Mr. Joever Nemenzo, a high school teacher from Julio Ledesma National High School.
Mr. Nemenzo is one of the many victims that shared sentiments about their lost homes which they had work hard for. Now, they are clueless on how they can rebuild everything that has gone astray.
Spot investigation vs. witness speculation
The BFP officers conducted a 24-hour investigation to trace the main source of fire in Magnolia Flores' residence. The initial result based on what Flores told to the BFP officers that she encountered electrical glitches on her electrical main plug which was fixed by a certain technician before the incident, though the electrical problem happened again which sparked the fire. According to SFO4 Badel, "We shall be expecting the final result of the investigation after a month."
Aside from the said "electrical glitches", neighbors are also saying that the source of fire came from a lighted candle as part of a drug session that is usually happening at Flores residence.
Flores, a 28-year old widow admitted that her residence really did serve as a hiding den for shabu-users in exchange of the amount ranging from P20-P100!
The San Carlos Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responded immediately since the towering smoke was very conspicuous at their office's viewpoint (BFP is situated at Ylagan St., a few blocks away from the affected area).
Fire-fighting obstacles
The BFP's response was not enough since at the moment of the fire trucks' arrival, the fire was already raging and enveloping a large area of houses. This led to an estimated damage of P 1-million. (Source: BFP)
The fire fighters along with some volunteers confessed that these three factors: wind, light combustible materials and the structural framework of houses and it's location allowed the fire to easily engulf most of the houses and valuable properties.
Responses for Second alarm fire
One-alarm fire (first alarm), two-alarm fire (second alarm), and multiple-alarm fire (general alarm) are categories of fires indicating the level of response by local authorities, with an elevated number of alarms indicating increased commitment of resources. It must be based on the number of units (firetrucks for example) and firefighters responding to a fire; the more vehicles and firefighters responding, the higher the alarm designation.
With the help of additional fire truck units from SCBI, Gamboa-Hermanos, Chinese fire brigade, San Jose fire brigade and also from the Municipality of Calatrava, the alarm designation was referred to as a "two-alarm or second alarm" fire.
At exactly 1:00 PM, the BFP declared fire-out, this means that the fire was extinguished completely!
Evacuation
The fire victims were temporarily evacuated at Congressman V. Gustilo Sr. Memorial School (CVGSMS) popularly known as "South". They were supposed to be transferred at the City Auditorium for a more spacious area on day two (January 13, 2013), however the comfort rooms cannot accommodate all families. So it was decided that they will be transferred at the School of the Future's (SOF) new building. There are 54 families staying at SOF while the others reside with their nearby relatives.
The affected families are still currently staying at SOF and continuously receiving donations of all kinds from different sectors both public and private. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officers are accountable for the food preparations and the distribution of donated goods to the families, while the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) officers and volunteers are responsible for giving first-aid, medical treatment, and logging the activities inside the evacuation center.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. led officials in distributing goods and tarps to the affected families, including P5, 000 per family for shelter assistance. The local government of San Carlos City also extended their help by providing financial assistance to the victims.
Victims’ Sentiments
Most victims are still dreading for their lost homes, especially those who do not have relatives they can share roofs with.
"Mamalit pa tani ko ug idungag nga gamit sa among balay, wala na lang nako dayuna. Sakit kaayo sa akong buot nga tanang gamit nga akong gipondar, na-ugdaw jud!" said Mr. Joever Nemenzo, a high school teacher from Julio Ledesma National High School.
Mr. Nemenzo is one of the many victims that shared sentiments about their lost homes which they had work hard for. Now, they are clueless on how they can rebuild everything that has gone astray.
Spot investigation vs. witness speculation
The BFP officers conducted a 24-hour investigation to trace the main source of fire in Magnolia Flores' residence. The initial result based on what Flores told to the BFP officers that she encountered electrical glitches on her electrical main plug which was fixed by a certain technician before the incident, though the electrical problem happened again which sparked the fire. According to SFO4 Badel, "We shall be expecting the final result of the investigation after a month."
Aside from the said "electrical glitches", neighbors are also saying that the source of fire came from a lighted candle as part of a drug session that is usually happening at Flores residence.
Flores, a 28-year old widow admitted that her residence really did serve as a hiding den for shabu-users in exchange of the amount ranging from P20-P100!
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