The fire allegedly started from the house of Allan Nacorda, a well-known radio and television comedian known as "Goliat" to his fans.
The Cebu City Fire department received the alarm about 1:25 p.m. yesterday and immediately placed it under second alarm. It was reported under control five minutes after firemen arrived at the scene.
Nacorda said that when the fire broke he was a few blocks away for the shooting of "Kong Tigas Mo, Tigas Sad Ko", his latest comedy show over CCTN.
He said that the fire started in the room of his son in the second floor of their house, but it was only his wife Lisa and their helper who were home when the fire broke. Both were able to escape.
Nacorda said his helper claimed the fire was caused by a cellphone being charged in his son's room, but he believes the helper forgot to unplug an iron after she did some chores.
"Nag-on siguro ang plantsa basin nangutaw ni akong katabang, kay nangutana man ko sa bombero kon moboto ba ang cellphone apan dili man kuno," Nacorda said.
Lisa, who said she just finished taking a bath when she heard something explode and saw smoke coming out of her son's room, agreed with her husband that the fire was likely started by a plugged iron.
Aside from Nacorda's house, the rented house of Ruth Tabas, an employee of the accounting department of the Philippine Star, the sister publication of The Freeman, was also destroyed by the fire.
Tabas was at The Freeman when she received a call from her younger sister who told her their house, located behind Nacorda's house, was on fire.
Tabas arrived at the scene and was relieved to find that barangay workers were able to rescue her parents from the burning house.
The other houses destroyed belonged to Edgar Sabellano, Medardo Delfino, Ronnie Obado, Gellie Patan and Francisco Tabas. The houses of Marcellino Brigodo and Evelyn Pena merely sustained damage.
Fire investigator Frank Donozo said although they have taken the statements of the Nacordas they will still asked their helper to appear before their office for further investigation.
Donozo estimated the property damage at P120,000. - Flor Z. Perolina