Recycling facility loses P4.2M worth of properties in Friday the 13th fire

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A recycling facility owned by a Chinese businessman was razed by fire at Purok Paho, Barangay Felisa here on Friday, October 13, leaving an estimated P4.2 million worth of damage to properties.

Fire Officer 2 Rolin Paulan, arson investigator of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod, said they received a fire call around 5:33 p.m.

Paulan said the fire broke out from the filtration system of the facility where plastics are being processed.

Paulan said the fire was raised to second alarm after it spread to an area of the facility where stocks of junk tires were stored. He added that tires are considered combustible materials.

“Grabe ang dark smoke tungod sa tires,” he said.

Paulan said the facility had already finished its operations that day. Workers who witnessed the incident said that the blaze occurred just as they were preparing to leave, he added.

No injuries were reported. Fire out was declared two hours later.

Paulan said the facility has been operational for about 20 years now and has complied with safety protocols.

The BFP has yet to determine the cause of fire.