“Wala po kami naisalba, kahit ballpen wala po. Ang estimate po namin, more or less P100M (cost of damage) - owner of auto shop razed by fire in Tuguegarao

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Around P100 million worth of damage was reported after an auto parts shop along Balzain Highway in Tuguegarao City was engulfed by fire on Tuesday night, April 14.

According to the Cagayan Public Information Office (CPIO), an initial report from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) indicated that the fire started at around 7:30 p.m. and escalated to a third alarm, prompting a response from at least 16 fire trucks.

Flammable materials inside the establishment, such as tires, oil, oxygen tanks, and vehicle batteries, caused the fire to spread rapidly.

After several hours of firefighting operations, the blaze was placed under control the following morning, April 15, with no reported casualties or injuries.

In a media interview, shop owner Eduardo Lui said that everything inside the store was destroyed. He recalled that he was at home when he was informed of the incident. Upon receiving the call, he rushed to the area and brought the keys to open the roll-up doors, but it was already too dangerous to enter.

“...Actually, nainterview na ako ng BFP kagabi, ang estimate ko po is more or less P100 million (cost of damage). Kahapon may delivery pa po na dalawang truck ng gulong, naipasok pa ho namin kahapon. Unexpected naman po… wala naman pong nasaktan na tao… Wala po kami nasalba, kahit ballpen wala po,” Lui said.

At present, Lui said they are still uncertain about the cause of the fire, noting that it had been their practice to shut off all electrical breakers before leaving the shop every afternoon.

He added that they are not suspecting anyone, as they maintain good relationships with their employees.

“Kami rin po nag-iisip kung anong pinagmulan kasi every afternoon ng 5 o’clock bago kami lumabas, naka-shut off po ang lahat ng breaker. Parang brownout sa loob iyon. Kaya hindi po namin masabi kung saan galing. It’s been 35 years na po ang puwesto namin dito. Never nagkaroon ng kahit muntik na sunog,” he added.

Despite the loss, he expressed gratitude to the firefighters and everyone who responded, saying he was impressed by their efforts.

“Humanga talaga ako sa BFP natin… Dumating pa si mayor, si governor, at ex-congressman Randy. Lahat po sila tumawag ng mga kakilala nila na may water tanker. Thank you sa kanilang lahat. Sa lahat ng nag-contribute kagabi. Nasunugan ako pero tinanggap ko nang maluwag kasi nakita ko po ang lahat ng magagawa ng isang fireman—ginawa po nila,” he said.

As of this writing, authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire.