By: Vanessa Bugtong
A fire broke out on the evening of May 30, destroying four homes and partially damaging six others in Sitio Buaki Marivic, Barangay Sapid, Mankayan, Benguet.
The blaze started around 9:40 PM and alarmed nearby residents.
Responding firefighters encountered difficulty accessing the area due to its steep terrain, which made it hard for large fire trucks to maneuver.
“We deployed the bigger trucks, but the road conditions were really a challenge,” said SFO2 Elmer T. Maton, investigator from the Mankayan Fire Station. “Good thing, water delivery trucks and additional support from Buguias Fire Station also came to help.”
The fire was declared out at around midnight on May 31 after nearly two hours of firefighting efforts.
Authorities raised the alarm level to the second degree as flames consumed almost ten residential structures.
“Based on our initial investigation and accounts from neighbors,” SFO2 Maton added, “the fire started in the storage or work area of a certain Mr. Melchor Cablitan.”
One individual was injured while trying to help put out the flames.
“He was one of the first responders,” SFO2 Maton explained. “While he was helping, he got hit by a piece of galvanized iron and suffered slight first-degree burns on his neck and right shoulder.”
Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the fire and assessing the full extent of the damage.
Affected residents are currently staying with nearby neighbors while awaiting further assistance.
