7 hours ago
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CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — A fire broke out at the old Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital (OMPH), gutting the outpatient department and emergency building that was already tagged for demolition.
Provincial Health Officer (PHO) head Dr. Cielo Ante, in an official statement posted on social media page, said that at around 11:45 a.m. on Sunday a fire incident broke out at the old government hospital located in Barangay Ilaya, this city, affecting the hospitals canteen and OPD building.
"Based on initial accounts from a resident near the area, an explosion was heard from an electric post where a transformer is installed. This electrical issue is believed to have triggered the fire," Ante said in the statement, adding that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Calapan City and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) immediately responded to the incident.
Ante also said the building was being utilized by the PHO as temporary storage area for 19 pieces of damaged toilet bowls awaiting to be picked up by the supplier and infectious waste boxes containing discarded syringe used from vaccination activities.
"We are relieved to report that no injuries occurred and no nearby households were affected by the incident. It is important to note that the old OMPH had already been vacated and formally donated to the Department of Health (DOH) for the construction of the Mimaropa (Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) Regional Hospital," Ante said.
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"We are currently awaiting the results of the final investigation from the BFP-Calapan City to determine the definitive cause and other relevant details."
In a text message on Monday, Ante said that the incident should be a reminder of the importance of keeping all the emengency numbers at hand, especially during this season of extreme hot weather conditions.
"If the firetrucks did not arrive immediately, the fire could have reached the nearby residential area. I would like to thank the active participation of the Ilaya community," Ante said in the message.
