A candle factory inside the St. Clements Church compound in Barangay Bantud, La Paz, Iloilo City turned into ashes after it was hit by a fire on Monday evening, Nov. 15.

The cause of the fire, which started at around 6:30 p.m. and put out at 7:15 p.m., remained under investigation as of press time.

Chief Inspector Publio Ploteña of the Iloilo City Fire Station said estimated damage caused by the fire reached nearly P1 million.

The gutted facility, known as Our Mother of Perpetual Help Candle Factory, had been operating for more than two decades.

According to Rebecca Helarso, one of the workers, they made sure that all electrical devices were unplugged before they left the factory at 2:30 p.m.

No one was reported injured in the incident.IMT/Ian Paul Cordero