Thirty-six adults and children escaped from a burning building that housed a Children International health clinic.

Firefighters worked three and a half hours to control the flames that eventually destroyed the clinic.

Regional Director, Dr. Al Abainza explains, "The fire allegedly started in the nearby boarding house, where one of the occupants was cooking food. Before the fire broke out, about 36 persons that included children, parents and volunteer leaders were inside the Albay Clinic for the regular dispensing of medicines, but they were able to vacate the area immediately."

Children International had operated its local health and wellness program out of the location for over seven years. It had served 2,033 sponsored children.

Until a new building can be secured in central Legazpi, the health personnel and sponsored children who were receiving benefits at this clinic are being rerouted to another Children International clinic in nearby Bogtong.

"Our agency has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the operations in the medical services will not be interrupted in spite of this incident," says Abainza