Fires his North Cotabato towns during Semana Santa

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Three fire incidents occurred in North Cotabato during the Semana Santa, the latest of which was on Easter Sunday in Kabacan town, authorities said. Kabacan town fire chief Ibrahim Guiamelon said the fire hit a vacant lot in Barnagay Osias at past 1 p.m. The area was used as junk shop storage owned by a certain Arnelito Nitura. No one was hurt and firemen prevented the fire from spreading to nearby house. A grass fire in the village of Ugpay, Mlang, North Cotabato damaged rubber plantation on Thursday, authorities said. It damaged hundreds of rubber trees. Another grass fire in Barangay Calunasan, Mlang, North Cotabato damaged rubber trees on Satuday. With the Mlang fire truck disabled, the Kidapawan City fire department responded and put off the grass fire. Before the Holy Week, a fire hit the detachment of the 7th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tawan-Tawan, Mlang, particularly in the Central Mindanao airport. The fire razed 12 nipa hut, six motorcycles, ammunition and documents, fire investigators said.