700 homeless in Tejero blaze

CEBU, Philippines — Over 700 individuals from more than 200 families were left homeless after a third-alarm fire razed more than a hundred homes in Villagonzalo 1, Sitio Riverside, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City, on Saturday morning, January 10.

The residential fire, which broke out around 5:22 a.m., is the first reported fire incident in the city this year.

According to the Cebu City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the blaze started inside the house of 45-year-old Jonathan Duterte, who was injured after sustaining burns on his left arm.

During the firefighting operation, the BFP raised the first alarm at around 5:32 a.m., the second at 5:37 a.m., and the third at 5:54 a.m.

After more than 30 minutes, the fire was declared under control at 6:30 a.m. and was fully extinguished at 7:09 a.m.

Reportedly, the fire covered about 2,400 square meters and burned a total of 128 houses, with at least 93 totally destroyed and others partially damaged.

The BFP confirmed that the estimated damage from the incident reached P2.4 million.

Based on the initial intake assessment conducted by the Cebu City Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) as of 11 a.m. yesterday, a total of 714 individuals from 202 families were displaced.

Allegedly, the fire was caused by the sudden explosion of a butane stove inside Duterte’s house.

However, fire authorities are still investigating to validate these initial findings.

Additionally, two other residents identified as Manuel Algunas Jr. and Joel Tura were also injured, as recorded by the DSWS.

Meanwhile, the displaced fire victims are currently housed at the Tejero Sports Complex.

The DSWS said that all affected families and individuals are recommended to receive relief assistance from the city government. — (FREEMAN)