Fire destroy 3 houses, crane

CEBU, Philippines - Three houses, including one that was built in 1920, were destroyed by fire in Barangay Poblacion, Danao City yesterday afternoon.

The fire which was tapped by the Danao City Fire Station at 2:30 pm started at the second floor of the semi-concrete old house owned by Nestor Casona.

The fire was declared under control after two minutes but it was able to spread fast enough to also destroy the two adjacent houses owned by Cindy Manulat. 

Danao City fire marshal Ronaldo Orbita said no injury was reported and the damage was pegged at P70,000.

Although the fire was immediately controlled, Orbita raised the alarm under task force alpha because they allegedly had a difficulty sourcing out water. Orbita explained that the city’s waterworks system is currently undergoing construction repair.

Fire trucks from the nearby towns of Liloan, Compostela, Catmon, Carmen, and Sogod helped put off the fire.

Meanwhile, a crane caught fire Wednesday night inside a barge docked at the Ouano Wharf.

A Cobilco crane overheated at 7:55 p.m. after hours of operation inside Nene Barge causing the machine to catch fire.

The fire, however, was immediately extinguished by the responding firemen before it would affect the barge.

Julito Diaz, crane operator, noticed that the crane was on fire prompting him to immediately jump off.

The barge where the crane caught fire was supposed to leave for Iloilo last night to deliver concrete posts.

Cebu Coast Guard commander Rolando Punzalan Jr. has already directed the owner of the barge to submit a marine protest.—(FREEMAN)