Pardo fire razes over 50 houses

CEBU, Philippines - An afternoon fire razed more than 50 houses in Poblacion Pardo, Cebu City yesterday, leaving at least P300,000 worth of property destroyed and still undetermined number of families homeless.

The fire, which was raised to third alarm, hit Sitio Kawayan, Upper Lucimba at 4:22 p.m. It was declared under control at 5:03 p.m.

Cebu City Fire Marshall Rogelio Bongabong Jr. said the fire started at the house occupied by a certain Jufril Malacora, 27.

Witnesses told investigators that they first saw the fire coming out from the ceiling of Malacora’s house.

It quickly spread to the neighboring houses which were mostly made of light materials.

Bongabong said more than 50 houses were razed to the ground while 10 were partially damaged. No one was reported injured.

Bongabong said one of the problems encountered by them during the firefighting operation was the lack of access road. The firefighters have to connect at least 14 hoses to reach the area.

Bongabong said they would normally ask for re-blocking from the city government. However, the lot is privately owned.

Barangay Captain Althea Lim said she will call for an emergency session to declare the area under state of calamity.

Some of the fire victims were temporarily sheltered at the barangay gym. Some also opted to stay at the fire scene to watch over their belongings.

Lim asked the city government to provide tents for the affected families. She also requested security for the victims from the Pardo Police Station.

The barangay officials are still in the process of determining the number of families affected.

SIBONGA FIRE

Meanwhile, a house in Barangay Candaguit, Sibonga town was also hit by a fire Tuesday afternoon.

The fire, which left P60,000 in damage, was believed to have been caused by electrical short circuit.

Initial investigation revealed that nobody was in the house when the fire started. The owner, Rosalia Bedad, left her house past 4 p.m. to wash clothes.

When the firefighters responded to the call the house was already consumed by fire.—(FREEMAN)