A fire broke out at the Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC) building in Gorordo Ave, Cebu City, Saturday evening, as reported by the Cebu City Fire Office.
CPUC guard-on-duty Ronald Monreal and his fellow security guard Jedito Mahawan, who happened to be in the office when the incident occurred, shared that they heard a blast at about 8:15 P.M., like a motorcycle crashing into something. Later on, they decided to locate the source of the blasting sound.
The fire started at the CPUC cafeteria, where it was reported that one of its air-conditioning units malfunctioned and exploded. This caused thick smoke to cover the whole dining facility making it difficult to stop the crawling fire.
"When we entered the door to the dining hall, we saw fire inside. So we grabbed a fire extinguisher, but we failed to use it because of the thick cloud of black smoke coming out from the hall," Mahawan narrated.
"A young man who is a Brgy. Kamputhaw personnel happened to be walking nearby and noticed what was happening. He told us to call the Brgy. Kamputhaw police officer from a nearby building while he would call the Brgy. Kamputhaw firefighters. In 5 minutes, the firefighters from Brgy. Kamputhaw arrived and helped us put out the fire," he added.
Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO) reported that they received the fire alarm at around 8:46 that night, and the firefighters arrived at the CPUC headquarters at 8:53 P.M.
The CCFO then raised the first alarm at 8:56 P.M., considered the fire under control at 9:07 P.M., and later declared the fire out at 9:14 P.M.
The firefighters estimated the property damages to cost around P1.3 million. Moreover, they said that the faulty air-conditioning unit could have caused the fire.
Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC) President Pastor Eliezer "Joer" T. Barlizo, Jr. expressed his gratitude to God for sending people to help put out the fire after the blast in the dining hall of the CPUC headquarters at 112 Gorordo Avenue, Kamputhaw, Cebu City, on Saturday evening, April 23, 2022.
"Thank you so much to our CPUC security guards, fellow workers, and concerned Barangay Kamputhaw personnel for the immediate help, and most of all, to all the firefighters for the quick response to the incident," he shared.
Pastor Renito C. Inapan, CPUC treasurer, expressed that the situation is just a reminder from God.
"At least, we see how the Lord protected the building. We should not be confident that everything is okay. We should always check and regularly clean the air conditioner units," Pastor Inapan commented.
When the news about the fire spread, the CPUC workers unitedly offered prayers for God's intervention. Prayers and concerns also flooded from the brethren all over the world.
In an interview, Pastor Calev B. Maquirang, CPUC executive secretary, said that the Lord has His providential way of showing an immediate response for the good of everyone in times of great need.
"The Lord is faithful, and He is always there for us. Had it not been because of His grace, I don't know what would have happened. Thank you so much for your prayers. I know that God will provide for the damages," Pastor Maquirang shared.
Nadeth Quinto, Central Philippine Union Coference