Fire hits Brgy Luz

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the heavy downpour and the 20 fire trucks that responded to the alarm, a fire that hit Barangay Luz managed to destroy 114 houses in three sitios yesterday afternoon.

As of last night Councilor Gerardo Carillo said 829 persons comprising 206 families lost their homes in the fire. No one was reported killed, but a firefighter reportedly suffered minor injuries.

City Fire Marshall Rogelio Bongabong Jr.  said they received the alarm at 3:24 p.m. yesterday and immediately sent firefighters to the alarm.

Over 20 fire trucks rushed to the fire scene after the alarm was raised to Task Force Alpha. Even as many trucks arrived, they were hampered by the narrow, inaccessible roads.

“Sama sa uban nga mga congested areas kaning mga ingon ani nga sikit kaayo ang balay,” Bongabong said.

Aside from the narrow roads Bongabong said that most of the structures were made of mixed concrete and light materials making them more combustible.

The fire destroyed houses in sitios Abellana, Sto. Niño and Sta. Cruz, the fire marshal said.

During the interview with Bongabong, fire victim, Nestor Hermosa vented his anger and frustrations at the fire marshal saying the firefighters were useless.

“Ang bombero way hinungdan, ayaw nag daghang istorya pa ang bombero pag-abot walay tubig tanan, o ayaw na pagkuan pa chief, kapoy na kay way tubig ang bombero…walay tubig, hangtod karon walay tubig, nagsamok-samok lang mo sige og interview-interview walay hinungdan,” Hermosa shouted at Bongabong.

Bongabong was cool enough not to react adversely.

“Dili nato malikayan nga naay sentimento nga atong kabomberohan nga hinay moresponde. Unya walay tubig, sige lang ato lang silang sabton. Ingon ani gyud nang masunogan,” Bongabong said.

He also said they came ready with water, but added a fire truck can only carry 1,000 gallons of water and that amount passes through a fire hose in such a short time.

“Dili na tinuod nga wala nay tubig atong bombero, nadala ra to siya sa iyang emosyon. Ang tubig dali ra gyud na mahurot labi na gamay rag sulod atong firetruck mga 1,000 gallons,” he said.

Despite having that difficulty penetrating the fire scene, the Cebu City Fire Department declared the fire under control 50 minutes after they arrived at the scene, but it took them almost six hours to totally put out the fire.

Bongabong said that there are several reports of how the fire started, but based on their initial investigation the fire seems to have originated from Mario Villaflor’s residence.

“Duha ang version, naa’y nagsiga nga kuryente, naa’y nibuto pero ato pa nang tan-awn,” he said. He estimated the total damage at around P700,000.

Because of the difficulty the firefighters encountered yesterday Bongabong said that he will recommend for a re-blocking of the area.

“Kinahanglan nga ato ni silang himoan og dakong dan pasulod para makontrolar nato sa madaling panahon para gamay ra ang danyos,” he added.

As of press time there were no reports of casualties or missing persons. Fire Officer 1 Reil Pantohan was injured after he accidentally stepped on a nail while battling the fire yesterday.

Reblocking

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said that the fire-stricken area will be reblocked as a precautionary measure for further emergencies.

“Reblocking has always been the policy of Mayor (Michael Rama) and it has been proven nga kun ma-reblock na ang usa ka area after sa fire and kun naa’y fire mahitabo og balik, gamay nalang ang affected,” he said.

Labella said that fire victims will temporarily stay at the sports complex of the Barangay Luz Elementary School.

“Atimanon ang atong victims karon naa sa sports complex sa Barangay Luz Elementary School. Nananghid nata sa principal and nanghangyo pod ta nga makagamit sa classrooms and nisugot ang principal with the condition nga mobalik sab sa sports complex ang mga bata inig ka buntag kay tingklase pa raba karon,” he said.

He added that some families will have to make sacrifices since they might have to settle for smaller lots after the re-blocking.

The Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor will determine the measurements of the lots that each affected family can have to rebuild their houses.

Department of Social Welfare and Services head Ester Concha said that the city government will provide meals for the fire victims for three days, while her office will assess the families for the financial assistance.

She said that bona fide homeowners will get P10,000 and sharers or renters will get something depending on the categories.

She said that the financial assistance will usually be given two days after the incident, since they still have to assess the families.

Concha said that they will also wait for the survey and assessment of the DWUP as to who will get housing or construction materials. — with Jean Marvette A. Demecillo (FREEMAN)