Mall fire raises need for adequate, better firefighting equipment

source: mb.com.ph

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – At least 20 persons were injured while trying to escape death when fire broke out on the second floor of the Robinson's Department Store here, Sunday afternoon, prompting local officials to look at and assess current firefighting tools.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who rushed to the fire scene near the Fuente Osmeña oval in Jones Avenue, urged owners of buildings and establishments to put up firefighting tools like smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and breathing apparatus to be used during fire incidents.

Rama made the call after witnessing how people scampered off by climbing out of the window using only ropes amidst black smoke that engulfed the entire establishment on Sunday. On top of the Robinson's Department Store is the Cebu Midtown Hotel.

The fire broke out at around 3 p.m., sending shoppers, employees, and guests of the hotel scrambling to safety. Others fell several meters to the ground after trying to escape through the window using only ropes.

“I didn't know where the fire exit was because it was already totally dark so I followed one customer towards the window and climbed down using only ropes,” said hotel employee Ronald Kintanar.

A hotel occupant, clinging to her three-year-old son, alleged that she heard no fire alarm when the blaze broke out. She said she only learned of the fire when smoke started getting inside her hotel room.

It took the firefighters over two hours to declare the fire under control. The Bench boutique was totally damaged and Mang Inasal, which is adjacent to it, also sustained some damage.

Cebu City Fire Marshal Aderson Comar said the fire was controlled and was not able to spread to other establishments, but admitted they had difficulty in clearing out the area because of the thick smoke. Firefighters had to use their aerial ladders to bring people down to safety.

Damage to property was initially estimated at P160,000, but investigators have yet to confirm this, as well as the cause of the fire.

Rama said he was satisfied with the brief length of time it took the fire bureau to get to the area as he also commended volunteers who helped in containing the fire and rescuing those trapped inside.

Firefighters, however, were not able to go inside at first for lack of enough breathing apparatus.

Rama said the City will buy fire ladders and will also ask the national office of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to send more firefighting equipment.

source: mb.com.ph