2 houses razed, 1 damaged in fire

CEBU, Philippines - Two houses were destroyed while one other was damaged partially when a fire hit Sitio Upper La Guerta in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City late afternoon yesterday.

Fire Officer 3 Ferlando Iban told The Freeman it was a certain May Castillo who alerted them of the fire at 5:58 p.m.

Investigation revealed that the fire originated from the house of Evelyn Mangitngit but no one was reportedly there when it broke out. The house was reportedly always closed but the lights were always left on.

“Ang origin sa sunog walay tawo, pirmi lang magsiga ang balay,” Iban said.

The fire then spread quickly to the houses of Dino Pepito and Tata Orungan, which were made of light materials. Luckily, firefighters arrived just before the fire could cause massive damage to Orungan’s house.

Iban said the fire was controlled at around 6:40 p.m. yesterday but not after firefighters struggled to penetrate the area because the road leading there is very narrow.

“Maglisod gyud ta kay kung ari ta agi sa Beverly Hills, layo pod kaayo, ug sa ubos pod ta, di sad ta kasulod,” he said.

Iban said they had to connect their water hoses just so water could reach the houses.

One of the residents there said the area is a relocation site and they have been asking the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to open a road but to no avail.

“Sigi man lang mi’g adto sa DWUP pero wala man silay aksyon. Nihangyo mi nga pahimoan ni’g dalan kay lisod kaayo agian diri, wa na goy kaagian diha,” the resident said.

As of yesterday, investigators were yet to assess the actual damage of the fire. (FREEMAN)