AROUND P28 million worth of infrastructure was destroyed during a midnight fire that occurred at a warehouse along the national highway in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City on Thursday, March 17, 2022.The fire, which occurred at the warehouse owned by Vicky Marketing, took 12 hours to contain.FO2 Fulbert Navarro of the Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO) told reporters that the fire broke out at around 12:06 a.m. A few minutes later, the fire was raised to first alarm and was eventually raised to third alarm at around 12:58 a.m.Navarro said the fire was eventually placed under control at around 4:45 a.m.But firefighters stayed until later Thursday morning before pulling out of the fire scene.Navarro said it took a long time for them to leave as they had to conduct overhauling as there were still parts of the fire scene that might reignite such as hidden or smoldering fires.FirefightersNavarro said at least three of their personnel namely FO2 Astrid Roble, SFO1 Jeric Alburo and SFO1 John Kurly Bayron experienced difficulty in breathing while responding to the fire.A civilian, 43-year-old Ritchie Matalaguan, was brought to the hospital after sustaining first degree burns on his left foot.The 800-square-meter warehouse owned by a certain Pablo Maragnon contained various items including milk tea ingredients, school supplies, batteries, household items and solar flashlights.Heavy traffic feltThe overhauling conducted by firefighters at the fire scene caused heavy traffic that affected many commuters and travelers from southern Cebu.Lyntoni Alburo, Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) acting head, said fire trucks parked along the national highway caused the massive gridlock on Thursday morning.The Mambaling flyover, which was closest to the fire scene, also had fire trucks parked, Alburo added.To alleviate the plight of motorists, Alburo said they had to redivert traffic from the main highway towards other routes such as the South Road Properties via F. Vestil Street and roads leading to Barangay Labangon.Thursday’s fire incident is the 13th to happen in Cebu City in just 17 days this month, which is Fire Prevention Month. (BBT, HIC / TPT)