Cordova Fire Traced to Use of Defective Butane Gas Canister

Fire investigators traced the fire which destroyed 26 houses and damaged five more in Sitio Gemelina, Barangay Cogon in Cordova town Friday night to a defective butane gas canister used in cooking.

The fire, which was placed under control around 7:35 p.m. and completely put out at 7:50 p.m., caused damage worth P1 million.

Fire Marshal Marilyn Macatangay of Cordova Fire Station said that investigation showed the fire originated from the house of Johnrey Baguio, who was cooking food for dinner with the use of butane gas around 5:57 p.m., Friday.

Butane has gained popularity among consumers recently because it is cheap and can be refilled at P15 to P20 per canister.

While Baguio was cooking, the butane canister reportedly exploded, causing his brother Gregorio to be trapped in their house.

Gregorio sustained third-degree burns in parts of his body while Baguio got his arms wounded.

The two brothers were rushed to Lapu-Lapu City Hospital and were later transferred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City.

Macatangay said that the investigation also showed that most of the families living in Sitio Gemelina were using refillable butane gas in cooking.

She said that she already discouraged the use of butane inside households because of the danger it poses. (PNA) CTB/EB/PJN