Some PHP13.5 million worth of properties went up in smoke when a wooden-hulled vessel caught fire early Tuesday off Lampinigan Island, Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province.
In its report, the Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) – Isabela City, the blaze broke out around 2:20 a.m. Tuesday while the vessel, M/L J Dayang 3, was near Lampinigan Island.
Investigation showed that the vessel, loaded with hardware materials and groceries, was traveling to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, from Barangay Cawit here when it caught fire due to an electrical short circuit.
The CGSS, together with personnel from the local disaster management office and the Bureau of Fire Protection, launched firefighting and search and rescue operations following receipt of the report from Lampinigan Barangay chairperson Aksan Hamad that a vessel was on fire at sea.
The CGSS reported that all 15 crewmen of M/L J Dayang 3 were safely rescued and taken to Lampinigan Island where they were immediately assisted.
The responding firemen declared fire out at around 5:30 a.m. and placed the estimated extent of damage at PHP13.5 million.
Meanwhile, the Marine Environmental Protection Group–Basilan and the CGSS inspected the vicinity waters for possible traces of an oil spill but yielded a negative result.
Source: Philippines News Agency