METROPOLICE: Power snap sets home on fire

CEBU, Philippines - A fire broke out inside a two-story residential building yesterday morning in Sitio Mustang, Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City after an electrical overload in an internet cafe sparked fire in the ground floor.

Police Officer 2 Emmanuel Dariada of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Station 5 said the fire started around 5:27 a.m. in the house and internet shop of Juanita Patalinjug, whose whole family was sleeping when neighbors felt disturbed by the smell of burnt electric material.

It was Engineer Jesus Laurino who saw the growing fire and immediately called out Patalinjug to inform that their internet cafe was being gobbled up.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Berido Atilano of the Lapu-Lapu City Fire Department responded to the scene and rescued Patalinjug, her husband Hernando and sons Jerard and Gregorio, by crashing the neighbor's wall.

Dariada said the family went out safe and the fire was under control about 30 minutes after.

The fire damaged properties estimated to be worth P300,000 and, according to Dariada, an electrical overload in the main switch located near the computers in the ground floor caused the fire.

The family is currently taking refuge from their relatives after the incident. (FREEMAN)