2 fires raze 20 houses

CEBU, Philippines - At least 20 houses were destroyed in two fire incidents in two barangays in Cebu City yesterday.

In Barangay Cogon-Pardo, 12 houses were destroyed when a fire swept through sitio Santo Niño around 1:30 p.m., rendering 14 families or 67 individuals homeless.

Barangay councilwoman Concepcion Dacayana said the fire, according to the residents, started in the house of Romeo and Josephine Espinosa.

Damage of the fire was estimated at P75,000.

Dacayana said the narrow pathways and big trees that block the area made it difficult for firefighters to immediately put out the fire.

The affected families were temporarily housed at the barangay sports complex and were given free dinner by the city government.

Earlier, five houses, including an apartment, were destroyed by fire in sitio Hija, Barangay Guadalupe.

Apartment owner Cecilia Dilda said they are verifying reports that one of her boarders, whom she just evicted, intentionally started the fire. She said the boarder was reportedly a drug addict.

The fire department received the report on the fire at 10:31 a.m. The fire was raised to third alarm and was controlled around 10:55 a.m.

Firemen pegged the damage at P200,000. (FREEMAN)