At least five classrooms of a school in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur were razed by fire early morning on Friday, November 29, 2024.

Authorities said the fire broke out at past 5 a.m. and was put out after nearly two hours.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Guipos said the classrooms were part of an old building of Balongating National High School built in the 1980s.

Based on investigation, the fire may have started at the laboratory room where gadgets like laptops, speakers, and other school equipment were stored.

Investigators said a bluetooth speaker that was plugged but was left unattended may have caused the fire.

“Ang cause ng sunog yung ipapadala naming sample, under investigation pa kasi, ipapadala pa sa laboratory natin sa national headquarters. Yung mga bluetooth speaker na naka-charge sa mga outlet, yun ang kinukunan namin ng sample,” BFP-Guipos Investigator, FO2 Jay Lambiquit, said.

No one was hurt in the incident but damage to property reached more than P3.6 million, based on initial assessment.

Classes at the school were suspended temporarily.

“Mostly man gud sa mga school, naa sila’y mga suga nga murag 24 oras ipasiga. Dayon, imagine-on nimo, 1980, pila na siya ka tuig, then ang ilahang (electrical wiring). Dapat mag-rewiring pud ang schools kay 1980s, pila na siya ka tuig, unya mao ra to nga wire, then ang ilang ceiling grabe na kauga,” Lambiquit added.