Fire leaves 500 families homeless

CEBU, Philippines - Yesterday’s blaze is one of the biggest fires that occurred this month, exactly five days before the observance of the Fire Prevention Month.

Around a hundred houses were razed by the said fire in barangays Labangon and Tisa, Cebu City, yesterday afternoon.

Residents said that there were those wounded and a 10-year old who went missing, but fire investigators have not confirmed these reports yet as of this writing.

As for City Councilor Gerardo “Gerry” Carillo, chairman of the social welfare services, said that around 500 families were affected in the two barangays.

City Fire Marshal Esmael Codilla, in an interview over dySS Super Radyo, pegged the damage at P900,000 which affected 80 to 100 houses.

Codilla said they met difficulties penetrating the fire scene. “Nagkalisod mi og penetrate gyod kay lisod kaayo sudlon sa fire truck ang area sama sa ubang lugar nga among na-alarma,” he said.

Carillo quickly ordered his staff to prepare at least 500 meal packs for the dinner of the fire victims. They would likewise be provided today.

Tisa barangay captain Eduardo “Eddie” Cabulao said that the fire victims would temporarily take shelter on a vacant lot near the fire scene and that the city government would provide tents.

The fire broke out at 4:03 p.m. and was placed under control 40 minutes on a third alarm status.

FO3 Antonio Gonzales, arson investigator, said that the cause of the incident is not determined yet but that the fire started at the house rented by one Annie Sembrano, a food vendor.

“Lisod pa kaayo (ma-determine) ang hinungdan gyod sa sunog kay (nag)libog pa mi sa testimonya sa mga tawo,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales mentioned of rumors that a cigarette butt was thrown to a pile of firewood at the back of Sembrano's house.

Other stories had it that there were children playing a lighter. But a teary-eyed Sembrano dismissed the rumors saying her three children are already in their 20s.

In an interview, Sembrano said she was cooking food at the back of her house. Afterwards she went inside the house, but to her horror she saw flames engulfing the back of their house.

“Human nako og luto, mibalik ko sa balay. Diha na nako makita nga dako na ang kayo sa among luyo,” Sembrano said.

She said she was not able to save any of their belongings.

“Wa gyod ko’y nadala gawas sa akong gisul-ob,” Sembrano added.

Sembrano, a widow, said that she is not sure yet if she could rebuild her house in same area as they were just renting the lot.

According to barangay chairman Cabulao, residents were renting the lot to several owners.

Cabulao said last night he would immediately convene the barangay council to pass a resolution declaring the barangay as “calamity area” so that they can release funds for assistance.

At the same time, they would pass a resolution recommending to the City Council the release of financial aid.

Ryan Camero, one of the fire victims, said that the city government assured them help in building again their house.

Last week, four persons were killed in a fire in barangay Capitol Site who were said to be trapped inside an apartment.

Last January 13, one was hurt while at least 15 houses were destroyed in a fire that hit barangay Luz. The next day, another fire hit three houses in barangay Tisa, still here in the city.

Last Saturday, a fire razed 67 shanties in barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City killing an 82-year-old woman.

Properties worth some P9.2 million went up in smoke after a fire destroyed a three-story building on the corner of P. Lopez and Borromeo Street, Cebu City on January 26, while at least 20 houses were reduced to ashes in barangay San Isidro, Talisay City on February 2. – Gabriel C. Bonjoc/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)