CEBU, Philippines – Sixty families were left homeless after a fire destroyed 30 houses in Sitio Ker, Barangay Kamputhaw, early morning yesterday.
The Bureau of Fire and Protection received the alarm informing them of the fire around 3:05 a.m.
According to the initial investigation by the BFP, the fire started at the house of a certain Joennel Norca. Norca said he was not in his house when the fire started but he admitted that he has a faulty electric switch.
According to Flora Bartolome of the Department of Social Welfare and Services, the 60 families were made up of two hundred fifty four persons, but only three were reported injured during the incident.
Bartolome added thirty families owned their own houses while the rest were either boarders, renters or sharers.
Twenty affected families are temporarily housed in the Barangay Kamputhaw gym while others choose to build makeshift shelters near their burned out homes.
As of 8 a.m. the total estimated cost of damage was estimated by the BFP at P2 million.
The Department of Social Welfare and Services together with the Emergency Management Office will give the fire victims food assistance for three days after which they will be given utensils, sleeping materials and a week's supply of rice and canned goods. - Clea Lhyle P. Ompad and Razel V. Cuizon, USJ-R Masscom interns/BRP (THE FREEMAN)