200 families lose homes in M'daue

CEBU, Philippines - More than  200 families lost their homes when fire razed Sitio Pulangbato in Barangay Alang-Alang, Mandaue city yesterday afternoon.

The fire department said estimated that more 60 houses were totally burned, but Alang-Alang Barangay Captain Mylene Sanchez said that around 80 to 100 houses were damaged.

The fire department received the fire alarm at around 1:40 p.m.

Fire trucks from neighboring areas also rushed to the scene and the blaze was under control in 43 minutes.

Most of the affected families are due for relocation to Barangay Pakna-an where Mandaue City has prepared a 6.5 hectare area for those living within the three-meter easement zone at the Butuanon River.

According to SFO2 Roy Garcia, the fire started at the ceiling of the house of Pacita Mansueto and quickly spread to adjacent houses. The houses in the area were built very close to each other.

He said that the fire might have been triggered by an electrical short circuit.

Firefighters had a hard time reaching the scene of the fire due to the lack of an access road.

They had to resort to connecting their hoses to reach the interior portion.

The firefighters also had to deal with the strong winds that fanned the flames.

It was also learned from Barangay captain Sanchez that the victims were occupying a lot owned by the government. Several of the houses in the area were being rented out, which is ther reason why more than 200 families are affected.

Since the barangay has no public school and gym, Sanchez said that affected families will temporary stay at a private vacant lot which is 100 meters away from the fire scene.

She said that the barangay officials immediately convened yesterday afternoon in order to declare a state of calamity so they can use their calamity funds.

Mayor Jonas Cortes, who was at the fire scene yesterday, immediately convened the City Disaster Coordinating Council.

Cortes said that affected house owners can expect an assistance of P10,000 worth of housing materials each from the city.

Those who are due for relocation will, however, be made to build their homes in Pakna-an.

Accident Control and Emergency Rescue Team (ACERT) chief Mario Perez said that two persons were brought to the Mandaue City Hospital. One lost consciousness while a fire volunteer of the Santo Niño fire brigade in Cebu City also sustained burns on his right arm.

Residents of the area also mauled a man, who was accused of stealing an electric meter and bronze wire which he placed in his knapsack.

He was arrested and detained.

Estimated damage caused by the fire is P400,000.

Man charred in Barili

An 81-year-old farmer was found charred in a pile of burning dried leaves at his farm in Barangay Mayana of the souther town of Barili about 11 a.m. Thursday.

Nobody noticed how and why Jacinto Escultor died, but his family is convinced that no foul play was involved on his death.

Barcelinas Escultor, the victim’s wife, said that she went to Barangay Mantalungon because it was market day leaving her husband at their farm.

She allegedly arrived about 11 in the morning and started preparing their lunch when she noticed she had not seen her husband, which prompted her to look for him at the farm and found Jacinto’s charred remains.

Catalino Escultor, 54, suspected that his father might have lost consciousness due to smoke.

PO2 Hector Veloso, Barili Police investigator, said that the victim had no known enemies.

“Pagkuha gani sa cadaver diha pa ang sundang sa hawak gitakin pa,” Veloso said.—with Ria Mae Y. Booc/NLQ (FREEMAN)