CEBU, Philippines - An overheated electric candle was initially traced by fire investigators as the possible cause of the fire in sitio Marco Ville, Barangay Camputhaw last Saturday evening which left an estimated of P1.2 million damage.
Fire Officer 3 Emiliano Daño, Jr. said the electric candle at the house of Simplicio and Cristita Neñiza, where the fire started, was allegedly left unplugged24 hours and seven days a week.
"Wala kuno ni palong-palong unya ang electric socket diin ni gi-plug kay ni-spark," Daño said in a phone interview.
The fire which started at 7:32 p.m. destroyed 10 houses leaving 22 families or 74 individuals homeless.
The affected residents are temporarily housed at the chapel few meters away from the fire scene.
The fire was declared under control 30 minutes later. Cebu City fire marshal William Tacaldo said they did not have a problem putting out the fire because of the accessibility of the area.
At least eight fire trucks from the different stations helped control the fire. (FREEMAN)