P20M lost in Sambag fire

CEBU, Philippines - An early morning fire razed 20 houses, and damaged a school building yesterday in Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City.

Damage was estimated at P20 million.

The fire started at around 2:40 a.m. in one of the boarding houses in the said place. All fire stations in Cebu City responded to the fire which was raised to third alarm.

Firefighters said it took them 35 minutes to place the fire under control, but it took until 6:30 a.m. to completely extinguish the flames.

Senior Fire Officer 3 Jimmy Layao of the Cebu City Fire Department said that the fire started in a two-story boarding house owned by Rosie Lambo Barrientos.

“Naa may boarder nga nakabantay nga nasunog iyang wall-mounted electric fan,” Layao said.

Initial investigation revealed that 20 houses were destroyed by the fire while four establishments were damaged. The fire also reached Southwestern University’s three-story medical building, destroying two classrooms in the third floor and four classrooms in the second floor.

There are 152 persons affected comprised of 57 residents, 42 lodgers, 32 sharers and 21 renters.

No one died on the incident, but two residents sustained second-degree burns. One of them was Mario Gacasan, 54, who was rushed to Cebu City Medical Center due to complications, while the other one was not hospitalized.

Susan Lastimosa, the Gender Advocacy Development focal person of Sambag 1, said that those who registered as legitimate fire victims will receive food assistance for three days. The victims will also receive blankets, mats and mosquito nets.

Currently the Department of Social Welfare Services is conducting an assistance program. The barangay provided the gymnasium in Sitio Tangkungan as temporary shelter.

Barangay councilman Ramon Rama said that they will be giving P5,000 cash and basic needs to each family affected. They will also be providing the fire victims meals for three days.

“Makabalik pa man mi og puyo diri kay amo-a man ang yuta… ang problema ang pag-construct na pod,” said Rhoda Singco, who owned a 10-room boarding house which was razed by the fire.   - (THE FREEMAN)