BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews/9 May) – A fire of still unknown origin that erupted before dawn here today right in the middle of town killed 17 people, all employees of the department store Novo Jeans and Shirts who were trapped inside the building.
The fire started around 4 a.m. and put out by fire fighters over 3 hours later, according to Insp. Aldrich Gomez, chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Butuan.
Aside form Novo, other establishments that occupied the building along Montilla Blvd. were Smart, Globe and Western Union. The building used to house two movie houses – Crown and Empress.
Novo sustained the most damage as it occupied the three floors of what used to be Crown Theater.
One of the survivors – Trylin C. Tolo, 25, of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur – said there were 20 of them who slept inside.
The other two survivors, according to a list provided by the BFP, were Vicky C. Velez, 22, of Ozamiz City; and Grace B. Canoy, 21, of Don Carlos, Bukidnon.
Tolo said she was on the second floor and still managed to jump out the window along with the two other survivors. All three had burn injuries in their hands.
Those who slept on the third floor were not fortunate enough to get out the building, Tolo said.
A Novo management employee who refused to be identified said the owners of the store from Manila have already been informed and on their way here. They reportedly promised to provide help to the victims and their families.
But Butuan Vice Mayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun said no matter what the owners will do, they will conduct investigations as to why so many workers were trapped inside the store.
The 17 fatalities, according to the BFP’s list, are Rogelyn Mantumbacan, of Butuan City; Junalie Amor, of Valencia City in Bukidnon; Judylyn Ore, Dipolog City; Villa Rose Dumagpi, Iligan City; Elllienie Ocoy, Malaybalay City; Frances Grace Sayre, Ozamiz City; Honey Joy Laguna, of Camp Philips in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; Mylen Lirazan, of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Pengky Despolo, of Tandag City; Jessie Dayuja, of Valencia City; Princess Mae Figueras, of Tandag; Irene Baliquig, of Laperian, Zamboanga del Sur; Hazel Cabana, of Valencia City; Liezel Dalaygon, of Oroquieta City; Jeba Salbigsal, of Iligan; Maribel Buico, of Malaybalay; and Glades Hope Sabila, of Ozamiz. (Erwin Mascariñas / MindaNews)
