TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) of Hindang town reported that a fire razed Hindang National High School on Sunday morning just a week before the school started its first face-to-face class since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
The BFP is still conducting an investigation on the cause of fire and estimates on the damage.
Reports disclosed that residents living in the vicinity of the school said the fire was first seen coming out of the school library at past 8 a.m. and eventually spread to burn down the school’s activity area and at least 10 other classrooms.
Residents said the school was busy in the past few weeks due to the Brigada Eskwela in preparation for the class opening on 22 August.
Initial investigation showed that the blaze gutted the school library, computer laboratory, science laboratory and school clinic.
At least 10 firetrucks from nearby municipalities immediately responded to contain the fire that spread in less than 30 minutes and among the towns which immediately sent fire trucks were Hilongos, Matalom, Bato and Inopacan.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Hilongos town also sent its Hilongos Quick Response Team to help manage the first responders.
Hindang town, a fifth-class municipality in Leyte’s fifth congressional district, is 139 kilometers from this city. The town is composed of 20 barangays and has a total population of 20,849 based on the 2020 Census.