Mabolo fire ‘started on purpose’ razes 6 houses

CEBU, Philippines - Just shortly after the heavy rain yesterday, a fire broke out and razed six houses at Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

The fire, which residents believed was started on purpose, left 15 families comprising at least 58 individuals homeless.

Senior Fire Officer 4 Jovito Abelgas of the Cebu City Fire Department said they received the report about the fire at 10:35 a.m. yesterday. The flames were controlled in 15 minutes after a first alarm was raised.

The fire was totally put off at 11:53 a.m. and damages were estimated at P90,000, said Abelgas. A total of six houses were destroyed while another one was damaged.

Elvira Dela Cruz, owner of the house where the fire reportedly started, said she heard someone shout about the fire.

She rushed outside to check only to see the walls of her house already in flames. This prompted her to immediately run away without being able to save anything.

Dela Cruz said she believes the fire was started on purpose as they have already been allegedly advised to vacate the place by a family claiming ownership of the lot.

She alleged that her mother saw the helpers of the said family at the back of their house making a bonfire.

“Wa’y laing hinungdan. Tinuod ‘na kay papahawaon na man mi ana niya diha. Nagdaob sa luyo ilang mga tawo,” said Dela Cruz. She said they have been residing in the area for 40 years already.

She said they will file a case against the family for what happened.

A helper of the family, in an interview, denied making the bonfire, saying he never went to Dela Cruz’s backyard. He said that early in the morning, he did cook food using woods at the roadside but not near the houses. He added that he put out the fire with water.

According to Mabolo barangay captain Rey Ompoc, residents in the area have already been given an ejectment order from the court for about ten years already. However, the residents did not leave the area.

He said he has talked with the fire victims who told him that they will rebuild their houses in the area.

Ompoc said he will also talk to the family who claims ownership of the lot.

“Tan-awn usa kung unsa ang isulti sa pamilya kay madudahan nahinuon kung di nila pabalikon,” said Ompoc.

The fire department has yet to investigate the allegations.  (FREEMAN)