CEBU, Philippines - A total of P150,000 worth of structural damage was reported after a fire hit least 10 houses yesterday afternoon in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.
Nine houses were totally destroyed while one house was partially damaged. At least 17 families or 135 individuals were affected. They are now temporarily housed in tents provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Services.
The Cebu City Fire Department received the fire alarm at 2:21 p.m. and was raised to second alarm status. It was declared under control 20 minutes later.
Senior Fire Officer 1 Emiliano Daño, fire investigator, said that residents claimed they heard an explosion before the fire broke out. Daño believes that the fire could have been started by an overheated electric fan or a charger left unattended.
Other residents also claimed that there were children seen playing with a match that may have triggered the fire.
Daño said that initial investigation showed that the fire began at the house owned by Laxley Lopez and rented by unidentified boarder who was new in Sitio Kanaas.
The fire was able to spread quickly since the houses were made of light materials.
Daño said the fire may have caused more damage had it occurred at nighttime. No casualties were also reported.
He also shared that aside from the road being narrow and downhill, the houses were situated in an interior portion, making it difficult for them to reach the fire scene.
Daño said that this is considered to be the second working fire in Barangay Guadalupe this year. (FREEMAN)