Building goes up in flames

Caption:   Firemen fighting the blaze


By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, August 11, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)



THE Pekum Trading building located behind Plumbers and Builders Supply, in Gordons, went up in flames as a result of a negligent occupant, who failed to watch over the meal he put on the stove on the top floor of the building, last week in Port Moresby.

As fire quickly spread through the building- huge plumes of black smoke engulfed the whole structure, reducing it to its structural frame within 30 minutes.

Witnesses at scene spoke of hearing explosions going off in the building, likely from a gas cylinder.

Being occupied as a residential building next to operating shops- the situation looked precarious as the build-up of onlookers forced the closure of shops within the area in fear of looting.

The arrival of police along with the fire brigade was timely as the flames threatened to spread to the adjoining Tycoon Mini Mart- taking an equal amount of time to put the flames out.

Fortunately, no one was hurt in the flames- with bystanders saying it was not the first time the building had gone up in flames, raising questions about its fire safety record.