P3-M destroyed in Pigcawayan fire triggered by electrical short circuit

PIGCAWAYAN,
North Cotabato – Arson investigators here said electrical short circuit
triggered the fire that destroyed the old municipal gymnasium and the business
establishments on its side.

Senior Fire
Officer Rene Villarma, investigator on case, said the fire which started at
past 1 a.m. was triggered when electrical connections from the Cotabato
Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) electric post to one of the establishments
suddenly sparked.

It was like a
lightning when the wire touched the corrugated galvanized iron, Villarma told DXMS Radyo Bida. Then a fire
followed and quickly engulfed the gymnasium,” Villarma quoted one of the
witnesses.

The fire
quickly spread because the building was made of wood. It took two hours before the Bureau of Fire
Protection controlled the conflagration.

He put the
estimated cost of damages to about P3 million.

Beside the gymnasium
were an array of business establishments that included a beauty parlor,
cellphone store, restaurant and carenderia, boutique and bakery.

Following the
incident, Villarma appealed to the people of Pigcawayan to take extra care especially
now that power interruptions regularly occur in Pigcawayan.”

Unplug all
electrical appliances every time a brownout occurs because fire usually happen
when power is restored,” he said.