BY MAI LADIAO
ILOILO – At least seven hectares of grassland were engulfed by the fire that hit Barangay Gua-an in Leganes town.
The fire dragged on for nearly 12 hours.
According to Fire Officer 2 Jancen Prodigo, arson investigator of the Leganes Fire Station, the fire broke out at approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, and was fully extinguished at 6:15 a.m. the following day, March 25.
“Kabaton kita fire call mga quarter to 6, nag responde man kami dasun kag nangayo bulig sa ingod nga mga stations kay indi pagid namon makaya kay sa kalapad sang ini nga lugar. Ang nabaton naton nga information halin sa pumuluyo nga mga bata ang nakakita nga naga-daba-daba na ang kalayo kag amo ang pagtawag nila sa aton,” said Prodigo.
Responders from Zarraga Fire Station and Tagbak Fire Station, as well as the Iloilo Citizens Action Group Volunteer Fire Brigade, extended help.
Prodigo stated that they remained on site while waiting for the remaining grass to burn out completely to prevent any further flare-ups.
“Sang aga na ini namon na tupok kay masanag na kay kun gab-e budlay mag-responde kay wala kami may makita. Subong around 6 a.m. lang, natapos na siya. Fire out na gid,” the fire officer added.
Prodigo noted that this was their second time responding to the same area, and the fire may have rekindled.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and the full extent of the damages is still under investigation.
Meanwhile, firefighters at the Leganes Fire Station assured that measures were taken so that nearby residences would not be threatened by the fire.
It is learned that the land is owned by a large food and beverage conglomerate in the Philippines./PN
