CEBU, Philippines - A 67-year-old man died from a fire that hit Sitio Dumpsite along White Road, Inayawan in Cebu City late evening last Tuesday.
The man was identified as Celso Serad, a tricycle driver and owner of one of the four shanties razed by the fire.
Fire investigator Daniel Relatado said it was difficult for firefighters to penetrate the area because the road leading there was too narrow for fire trucks to pass. They received the alarm at 10:11 and were able to place the fire under control some 20 minutes later.
Initial investigation revealed that the fire started at Serad’s shanty and spread quickly to the three other shanties occupied by his neighbors.
It was only after firefighters put the fire out that they discovered Serad’s charred body.
According to Serad’s neighbors, Serad reportedly came home drunk that night. He had reportedly just received the financial assistance the city government gives to senior citizens.
His wife, a reflexologist, also did not come home. They were reportedly not in good terms.
Serad’s neighbors believe the fire could have been caused by a lighted candle Serad forgot to put off before going to sleep.
The city’s Department of Social Welfare and Services will provide financial assistance to those left homeless by the fire. They will also be given meals and starter kits, which will include bedding materials, kitchenware, as well as other necessities
As of yesterday, DSWS counted 22 people affected by the incident.
“I already instructed (DSWS Chief Dr. Ester) Concha that the affected residents be given financial assistance,” Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella told reporters yesterday.
Serad’s family will also be given burial assistance.
Fire brigade
Labella lauded the prompt response from the involved fire units of Barangays Inayawan and Lorega and Cebu City Fire Department but underscored the need for the city to have an organized fire brigade.
“It is very important that it will not just be the fire department, barangays also will have fire trucks for them to immediately respond and for our alarm system, the city’s Command Control Center will immediately spread the message to all barangays and stakeholders insofar as disaster is concerned,” Labella said.
He urged those who still live in the area to transfer if they can.
“(So I am) urging them, not only for the reason that the area is susceptible to fire but also for health reasons, they are surrounded by garbage and it’s not healthy. I am urging them if there is a way that they could transfer to another place,” he said.
He said the city is currently negotiating the transfer of the residents.
“It is the obligation of the city to find a relocation site and that is now being undertaken and processed by the city, through DWUP (Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor.) It is still being negotiated on the lot where they will be relocated and I think it is not too far away from where they are now living,” Labella said. — /JMO (FREEMAN)