Reportedly due to unattended incense
TACLOBAN CITY – A seminary school in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, was struck by a fire on Sunday afternoon, July 28, with no injuries reported.
The fire began around 1:15 pm at the Seminario de Jesus Nazareno, affecting the social hall and chapel.
The blaze is believed to have been caused by an unattended lit incense.
Fr. Juderick Paul Calumpiano, the rector of the seminary, said that the fire originated on the second floor, where the chapel is located.
Fr. Calumpiano confirmed that all students were safe and accounted for.
“All children were safe and all accounted for,” he said in a video message posted on the social media account of the Diocese of Borongan.
The fire, which has resulted in an estimated damage of P2 million, was extinguished by the city fire department personnel by around 2 pm.
Due to the incident, the seminary, which has been operating since 1965 and is located in Barangay Campesao, will delay the start of classes scheduled for Monday, July 29.
“With the fire incident, we decided to delay the start of our classes. We will ask the Department of Education for their approval on this,” Fr. Calumpiano stated.
The seminary has about 108 students.
According to the initial report from the Borongan City Fire Office, the fire began in the chapel, where a mass had been held prior to the fire breaking out. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
