Morning fire leaves family homeless in City of Naga

CEBU, Philippines - A fire broke out past 11a.m. yesterday in Barangay Colon, City of Naga, razing a small eatery and a neighboring shanty and leaving one family homeless.

Colon barangay chief Rosetato Repollo said the house is owned by Boy Lomahino who was at work when the incident happened. His wife was also working while their kid was in school.

"Nanghipos sila ron sa mga sin ug mga pwede pa mahipos. Naugdaw man gyud ilang bay kay amakan ra man (The house was completely burned as it was only made of light materials)," said Repollo.

Repollo said based on the initial investigation conducted by the local fire department, the fire started at the eatery after something burst inside it.

The barangay captain said a liquefied petroleum gas inside the eatery burst causing the entire structure to go on fire.

"Swerte lang gyud nga way tawo sa sud, asta pud sa tupad nga bay (Lucky there was no one inside the eatery and the nearby house)," he said.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer and City Councilor Carmelino Cruz said the fire started at past 11a.m. and was controlled about 20 minutes later.

Cruz said the city has already sent a team to assess the damage and determine the amount of financial assistance to be given to the victims.

Repollo said the family of Lomahino will temporarily stay with their relatives. — Liv G. Campo (FREEMAN)