Two fires hit Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines - Three houses were destroyed yesterday as two separate fires struck Cebu City in a matter of six hours.

The first fire broke out at around 10:42 in the morning at Oppra, Barangay Kalunasan which the Cebu City Fire Department traced to have started from the two-storey house of Lorenzo Fernandez in Villa Remedios Compound.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Daniel Relatado, Jr., fire investigator, said they are still investigating what triggered the fire that started at the bedroom of Fernandez’ daughter at the second floor. The fire immediately spread and also ate up the house of Fernandez’ son, Jeffrey.

Louie, another son of Fernandez, said he was sleeping in his room on the first floor and was awakened by his wife’s shouts about the fire.

He rushed to his sister’s room and saw the flames starting to engulf the area. “Akong nakit-an nagsiga na g’yud,” he said.

The responding firemen were able to control the blaze in seven minutes.

Relatado pegged the fire’s damage at P50,000.

Around 4 pm, a second fire struck another two-storey house located along a creek in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City. 

The fire started on the second floor of the house owned by Prima Cantillas.

She reportedly rents out the second floor to boarders, who were at that time, in their respective workplaces.

Cantillas, 70, said she was at the ground floor when she saw sparks of fire from the ceiling.

Cantillas and residents living nearby scampered towards the barangay hall. Michael Ian Inglot, 24, suffered a four-inch laceration on his left hand while he ran with his neighbors.

The fire, which damage was estimated at P50,000, was contained within 15 minutes. (FREEMAN)