Two Firefighters hurt in Cotabato Blaze

Smoke billows from Cotabato City in a fire that razed dozens of houses and injured two firefighters on Wednesday, April 8, 2009. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 08, 2009) – Two fire fighters were injured Wednesday as they battled a blaze that razed dozens of houses in the southern Philippine city of Cotabato, officials said.

The local fire marshal Adam Ali Guiamad said the fire started shortly before 12.30 p.m. along Dona Theresa St. and the blaze was put under control half an hour later. Most of the houses burned, he said, were made wood.

Firefighters from Sultan Kudarat and Parang towns, including volunteers from the Cotabato fire brigade also helped in putting out the fire, Guiamad said. “We thanked all those who helped us,” he said.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated. There were no reports of civilian casualties. (Geo Solmerano)