SAIPAN — Firefighters with the CNMI Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded Sunday evening to a structure fire in Garapan behind the 99 Cent Supermarket, according to a DFEMS press release issued Monday.
The Department of Public Safety reported at about 5:36 p.m. on Nov. 16 that a Highway Patrol officer was on scene at a structure fire at the corner of Cpl. Derence Jack Road and Kalachucha Avenue.
DFEMS dispatched units at 5:37 p.m., and by 5:39 p.m. Engine-2, Medic-2, Rescue-1 and Forestry-4 were responding to the area, the release stated. Engine-2 and Medic-2 were the first units to arrive at 5:41 p.m. and reported that the fire involved a two-story, fully concrete building with a store in front and a car rental in the back. Visible flames and smoke were coming from the car rental doors.
Two teams were deployed to fight the fire. One operated outside, shooting water through a side door to control the spread of the flames, while the second team prepared to enter through the car rental’s main door. At 6:04 p.m., Lieutenant J.J. Concepcion reported to dispatch that the fire was under control.
Investigators from the Division of Fire Prevention and Arson Investigation arrived on scene to investigate and assess the cause of the fire. DFEMS said the cause remains under investigation and will be determined at a later date by the Division of Fire and Arson Investigation.
