The Bureau of Fire Protection yesterday placed at P245 million the total cost of damage to property caused by the blaze that gutted a bus terminal and nearby establishments at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
One fire volunteer was reported injured in the fire that rekindled yesterday after being put out late Thursday.
Quezon City fire marshall Senior Supt. Aristotle Bañaga identified the injured fire volunteer as John Grego, 27, who fell from the second floor of a building. He suffered back injuries.
The blaze started at around 4:40 p.m. at the Araneta Bus Terminal along Time Square Street in Barangay Socorro and quickly spread to nearby establishments like ShopWise and a carnival.
Firefighters took more than four hours to contain the fire that reached the Task Force Bravo alarm. Nearly three dozen firetrucks, including from volunteer fire groups, helped put out the fire.
“The structures were rather old. Most were built in 1974 so the fire quickly spread,” Bañaga told the Daily Tribune. He added that one of their firetrucks was also damaged.
The LTFRB said the operation of modern jeepneys at the Araneta Center terminal will resume today following a site inspection it conducted.
It was determined by the LTFRB and management of the terminal that there’s no need to find an alternative place to host the transport hub.
Full operation of the terminal can proceed tomorrow, Sunday, according to the LTFRB.
“The LTFRB assures the public that the operation of the terminal will not be delayed despite what happened and that it will continue serving the general public,” LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said.