ORANI, Bataan — A dawn fire razed 24 houses, affecting 26 families, in a village here Tuesday at a time when Fire Prevention Month is being observed in the country.
SPO4 Rusoler Tayag, Orani fire marshal, said the fire broke out in Barangay Pantalan Bago at 12:05 a.m. and declared fire-out at 2:16 of the same morning.
He said the fire reached the second alarm with five firetrucks from the nearby towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Samal, and Abucay responding.
Tayag said they were still investigating the cause of the fire and the amount of damage it left.
“Pagdating namin malaki na ang sunog. Dikit-dikit ang mga bahay kaya mabilis natupok,” the fire marshal said.
He said villagers were of big assistance to the firemen, helping with the use of pails: “Dahil sa pagtutulungan ng maraming tao hindi nadamay ang maraming kabahayan. Kung hindi na-contain, lalaki ang damage.”
He felt uncomfortable of a big fire happening during the celebration of fire prevention month: “Pinapa-alaala namin hindi lang ngayon na i-practice natin ang safety. May tema kami ngayon na ‘matuto ka, sunog ay iwasan’. Sana ang malaking sunog na ito ay huli na.” He said that whatever they do in their fire prevention advocacy, it will fail if the people will not observe fire safety: “Sana matuto na tayo. Iwasan ang sunog.”
He said they heard of talks that the cause of fire was due to a quarrel between a couple residing in the house where the fire allegedly started. “We have to investigate first and cannot conclude yet that this was the cause of the fire,” Tayag cautioned.
Ronnie Santos said it was a big fire that started allegedly due to marital spat. When asked what happened to their valuables, the old man said “Wala kahit na kusing, kahit isang damit wala. Biglang laki. Nanggising sila malaki na apoy.”
Eddie Bunsoy who was clearing his burned house said they too were not able to save anything.
Rosita Roman said she woke up her grandchildren and ran away from their house upon hearing that there was a fire. “Malakas na apoy papunta na dito. Wala kaming naitabi, ito lang suot namin,” the old woman said.
