CEBU, Philippines - Fire destroyed at least 36 homes in sitio Cagudoy, barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City early morning yesterday.
Investigators presumed it was caused by an appliance that overheated.
Lapu-Lapu City Fire Marshal Chief Inspector Recardo Cornelio said the fire, which started at around 5:44 a.m., quickly gobbled up the houses that were made of light materials.
Fire Officer 1 Climaco Salidsid said the fire could have started from the house of a certain Toto Alcon, who works at MEPZ.
Alcon allegedly failed to unplug one of the appliances in his rented house, which could have sparked the fire.
Alcon’s neighbors helped put the fire out but to no avail.
“Gisulayan og palong sa mga silingan pinaagi sa mga binaldeng tubig pero midako na hinoon ug dali nga mikatap sa mga kasikbit nga panimalay,” Salidsid said.
Salidsid said Alcon was beaten by neighbors.
“Nakatilaw gyud og kulata si Alcon sa iyang mga silingan hinungdan sa maong insidente,” Salidsid said.
Fire trucks had difficulty penetrating the area because of narrow roads.
Damage to property was placed at P600,000. (FREEMAN NEWS)