Fire destroys 12 houses

CEBU, Philippines - Twelve houses were destroyed while two others were damaged after a fire hit the Basubas Compound in Barangay Tipolo, Mandaue City, yesterday afternoon, while another fire threatened a gas station in the North Reclamation Area.

This is the third fire to hit the Basubas compound, the said place was also hit by fire in 2001 and in 2007.

The Mandaue City Fire Station received the fire alarm around 3:44 p.m. and declared it under control 23 minutes after they arrived at the scene.

But just as firefighters were coming to help fight the fire another fire alarm was raised.

The second incident was a grass fire in the North Reclamation Area, firefighters from the Philippine Air Force and the Chinese Fire Volunteers Brigade quickly put out the fire as it might spread to a nearby Petronas Gas station.

FO3 Nilo Cosedo of the Mandaue City Fire Department said that the fire in Basubas Compound started in a room of house owned by Rosemarie Minoza and quickly spread to neighboring houses mostly made of light materials.

Cosedo said that the cause of fire is still under investigation since none of the Minozas were there when the incident took place.

Only the smaller fire trucks were able to go inside the fire-hit areas because of the narrow roads. Some of these fire trucks also ran out of water.

The bigger fire trucks of the Mandaue City Fire Department, Cebu City Fire Department and other town stations positioned themselves along the M.C Briones St. and connected their fire hoses to be able to reach the stricken area. 

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said that he ordered Tipolo Barangay Captain Restituto Villanueva to ask permission from the owner of a private lot adjacent to where the fire occurred if the fire victims may temporarily stay there while rebuilding their homes.

If the owner agrees, Cortes said that the city will put up tents.

Cortes adds that the fire victims will also be provided with prepared food for three days as the city will also give them financial assistance.

Damage was set at P380,000. No casualties or injuries were reported.

Last Monday night, two houses were also destroyed by a fire in Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City, due to an unattended candle.

The alarm was received by Lapu-Lapu City Fire Department at 10:32 p.m., it was controlled six minutes after firefighters arrived at the scene.

SFO1 Jerry Damaolao said the fire started at the receiving room of the house owned by Lilian delos Santos where a lighted candle was left unattended by her niece.

The fire quickly spread to the adjacent house of Anecito Dejos which was also destroyed.

Delos Santos said that they have not had electricity for more than two months now after they failed to pay their bills, thus she only uses candles for light.

After the fire broke out, Delos Santos immediately secured her daughter and her niece and left the house. The fire also destroyed two multicabs, a motorcycle and a Tamaraw FX.

Only a few residents live in the area, making it easier for firefighters to contain the fire.

Fire investigator SFO1 Atelano Berido said damage was estimated at P300,000. —/BRP (FREEMAN)