This part of Barangay Puguis in La Trinidad, Benguet turned into a sea of fire around one in the morning last Sunday, November 10.
The explosion occurred when a fuel tanker lost its brakes and crashed into a nearby workshop.
One witness, 70-year-old Tatay Jaciendo, lives only 200 meters from the incident.
“Fire spread immediately because it was carrying crude oil, so these houses were quickly destroyed,” said Jaciendo Agapito, a resident.
According to the police investigation, the tanker came from Baguio City and was supposed to deliver oil to La Trinidad when it reportedly lost its brakes.
According to PLtCol. Benson Macli-ing, Chief of La Trinidad Municipal Police Station, “The cause was a mechanical defect that led to a brake failure, and the driver lost control of the steering.”
Police immediately assisted in rescuing the 52-year-old truck driver, but he was trapped due to the crash.
Due to the oil leak, a massive fire erupted.
Municipal Fire Marshal – La Trinidad Fire Station
“When I learned there was a gasoline truck involved, we raised a second alarm, and all neighboring towns, including Tuba, responded,” said FSINP. Jeric Wandas Ranolete, Municipal Fire Marshal at La Trinidad Fire Station.
“Our police officers on duty immediately responded to assist. That’s what happened,” Macli-ing added.
It took firefighters four hours to declare the fire out around five in the morning, at which point the driver’s body was retrieved.
“The fire was declared out at 5:12 in the morning, but we continued monitoring to prevent rekindling. When the fire was at its peak, it was impossible to retrieve the trapped driver’s body,” Ranolete mentioned.
The fire caused nearly 11 million pesos in damage, excluding vehicles affected by the blaze.
Forty-two families or 120 individuals lost their homes as nine houses were burned.
**VANESSA BUGTONG
