Predawn fire hits Immaculate Conception School for Boys in Malolos, Bulacan

Published June 13, 2014 5:23am

(Updated 3:03 p.m.) A predawn fire hit the Immaculate Conception School for Boys in Malolos, Bulacan province Friday, the Bureau of Fire Protection said.

BFP Malolos FO2 Erwin Parungao told dzBB radio the fire reached the third alarm as of 4:20 a.m.

Parungao said the fire started at 3:40 a.m.

There was no initial report of anyone killed or injured.

In a later interview on dzBB, Parungao said the fire was placed under control after 5 a.m., but added they are still determining what caused it.

He said their initial investigation showed the fire razed a two-story building which he described as old and made of light materials.

A separate report on GMA News TV's "News to Go" said the fire also razed the computer room and library of the four-story high school department.

Parungao also said that while it is up to the owners of the school to determine whether to suspend classes for the day, he noted most of the classrooms in the building were razed.

Also, he said the smoke would not be healthy for the pupils.

The "News to Go" report said arson investigators estimated the damage to property at P20 million.

Investigators added the fire damaged five school service vehicles, a part of the ceiling of the adjacent Basilica Minore, and a part of the church's sacristy.

Friday's fire left 900 students without a school, though the local government said it is ready to help them find ways to continue their studies.

The fire prompted the cancellation of Masses at the church for the day, though the Bureau of Fire Protection said the church structure was not heavily damaged, and Masses can still be held there. — Joel Locsin/ELR/KG, GMA News

Tags: malolos, bulacan, immaculateconceptionschoolforboys, bulacanfire