BACOLOD City – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in San Carlos City believed the fire that gutted the main building of Colegio De Sta. Rita was likely caused by faulty electrical wiring.
They are now focusing the probe on the building’s electrical systems said BFP-San Carlos City fire marshal Chief Inspector Rufino Tañedo Jr.
All gathered evidences to determine the cause of the blaze were forwarded to the BFP national headquarters’ arson laboratory. Among them were the building’s electrical items.
The school’s security guard told arson investigators that the building suffered a power outage before the fire, and he heard an explosion.
Initially, the investigators were unable to verify if the explosion could be directly attributed to the fire.
Tañedo said they will release the findings once they are made available.
The main building of Colegio De Sta. Rita was constructed in the 1930s and was undergoing renovation prior to the blaze.
As the building was now completely gutted, Tañedo recommended that it be demolished, although they were waiting for the findings of the city’s engineering department that is currently conducting rapid assessment and needs analysis.
However on Tuesday, Aug. 15, School Registrar Sr. Damiana De Tafalla A.R. said it is very likely that the building will be demolished and a new one would be constructed.
The fire caused P18 million worth of damage and affected a total of 800 students, prompting school officials to temporarily suspend classes for both senior high school and college students. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
