Manila Standard Today, December 20, 2006
A guest relations officer died and P6 million worth of property went up in smoke after three fires struck in southern Metro Manila.
Cecilia Fontabella died as flames engulfed Romy’s Videoke Bar in Parañaque City, where she worked as a guest relations officer.
SFO2 Felipe Caguing, arson investigator, said the blaze of still undetermined cause, began at the second level of the bar on J. Gabriel corner Dimasalang Streets in Baclaran.
Fontabella’s charred body was found in the debris after firefighters started mopping up operations at 3:08 a.m.
Caguing estimated the damage at P3 million, gutting at least six other establishments and six houses.
In Muntinlupa City, a 3 a.m. fire razed Delmar Wood Craft and Furniture reaching the fourth alarm.
Investigator SFO1 Gerry Nazareno said the shop along the National Road in Tunasan was owned by Mario Calara Avellano.
Stocks of expensive doors, windows and other fixtures were destroyed by the P2-million fire.
Still another blaze broke out around 6 a.m. on Daniel Street in Las Piñas City, raising the second alarm and posting a P1-million damage, according to arson accounts.
No one was reported hurt in the Muntinlupa and Las Piñas blaze.
Supt. Maria Sofia Mendoza, Bureau of Fire Protection head of Southern Metro Manila, urged residents to avoid risky electrical installations during the holiday season.
“I appeal to the people to be extra careful using their decoration, like the Christmas tree, light and lantern... make sure they are on a safe location,” she said.
Meanwhile, Valenzuela City’s top fire official and two volunteers were cited as outstanding firefighters by the National Capital Region office of the Bureau of Fire Protection.
Bureau of Fire Protection- Metro Manila Chief Rolando Bandialla presented the awards to Fire Marshall Chief Insp. Agapito Nacario and Joseph Go Blas of Phil-Chinese Fire Prevention Inc. and Greg Sy Peng Bea of Phil-Chinese Fire Fighters Volunteers Association.
Guest of honor was Chief Supt. Jose Callado, bureau head.
