Fire razes 175 houses in Quiot, Kinasang-an

CEBU, Philippines - Fire destroyed at least 175 houses in barangays Quiot and Kinasang-an dawn yesterday. It was the third fire to hit Cebu City in less than 24 hours.

The fire struck sitios Kamansi and Idiang in Quiot and Mahayahay in Kinasang-an at 1:20 am and it took firemen over an hour to put out the blaze after fire trucks found it difficult to access the area. The affected area is elevated and is overlooking Cebu City. Fire trucks could not go up the hill and even the water hoses could hardly reach the area, where houses were mostly made of light materials.

The Cebu City Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire but some residents said that a couple who were fighting could have started it.

"Ambot unsa'y giawayan ug giunsa nila na nasunog man basta nakamata ko kay saba na man unya nakabati ko sa babaye nilabay sa amo, niingon na 'wa g'yud to nako tuyoa,'" said Rebecca Toledo, one of the fire victims.

Knowing that it is difficult to get to their place during emergencies, Toledo said most residents could not help but get mad at the couple.

"Daghang nangasuko oy. Kami gani kay hagip-ot among balay maong magpalit na lang mi og ready made food unya di na mi magluto kay nag-careful mi, unya tungod ra diay sa ilang paglalis-lalis, maingon ani," Toledo lamented.

Cebu City fire marshal Rogelio Bongabong, Jr. pegged the damage the fire caused at P1.5 million.

While helping put out the flames, Senior Fire Officer 1 Lorenzo Cabigas, Jr., got injured after he was hit by the tanker of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF), which responded to the fire alarm.

Cabigas was rushed to the hospital and was already stable as of 12 noon yesterday, said Bongabong, adding that the ERUF shouldered the medical expenses.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City government yesterday declared barangays Carreta, Tejero and Quiot under a state of calamity because of the fire that hit the said barangays.

More than a hundred houses in sitios Laray and Caimito in Barangay Carreta and sitio Terra Cura in Barangay Tejero were destroyed by fire last Tuesday afternoon.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo said the declaration will allow the city to use its calamity fund for the rehabilitation of the three barangays.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, meanwhile, said the city is eyeing a re-blocking of the area for the security of the residents.

 "Ongoing pa ang survey sa possible re-blocking kay di naman gud ta mosugot nga mahitabo pa ang kaning sunog," said Tumulak.

The Department of Social Welfare Services said a total of 481 families were left homeless by the fire that struck barangays Tejero and Carreta.

Leah Yase of sitio Laray, 33, with four children, said that despite the Christmas season, her concern now is to provide for the everyday needs of her children, especially food.

"Hinuon pud, naa may panghatag nga mga relief goods sama sa bugas, sabon, sinina ug banig unya naa puy gigahin nga pagkaon para namo nga gikan sa DSWS," Yase said.

Another resident of sitio Laray, Alona Dignos, 46, with six children, was dismayed that she and her family were not able to save any of their belongings.

"Sus, naghilak intawn akong mga anak kay nasunog tanan butang nila sa eskwela ilabi na ilang uniform ug mga libro. Gihaguan intawn to namo ang pagpalit sa mga libro," Dignos said.

Dignos, however, is thankful that her family survived the fire and they are able to celebrate Christmas together.

"Ang pasko namo kontento na basta maayo lang among panglawas, kontento na basta makapabarug lang mi sa among balay. Gikan pa gani nalabay among atop sa among balay sa miaging bagyo karon wala na juy nahibilin," she added. — with Arian Sweden Mae C. Cosmiano and May Miasco (FREEMAN)