The biggest to hit Lapu-Lapu City: Fire leaves thousands homeless

CEBU, Philippines — Just 13 days before Christmas, a massive blaze struck sitios Santa Maria and Seaside in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City past noon yesterday, destroying hundreds of houses of mostly light materials and leaving at least 4,000 residents homeless.

The fire was said to be the biggest in the history of Lapu-Lapu City with the fire department placing the damage to properties at P3.15 million.

In sympathy to the victims, Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan cancelled the scheduled Christmas parties at City Hall, saying the budget would instead be used to help the displaced residents.

“Pahibalo sa tanang nga empleyado sa City Hall nga atong gi-cancel ang atong tinuig nga Christmas Party sa mga government employees lakip na ang para sa mga Department Heads. Dili karon ang panahon nga mag-party2 samtang aduna kitay mga kaigsuonan nga nag-ping-it sa kalisud tungod sa nahitabong sunog,” he said, in a Facebook post.

“Karon ang panahon nga atong ipakita ang atong pagtinabangay nga mao ang tinuoray nga kahulogan sa kapaskuhan. Mas magmalipayon ang atong Ginoong batang Jesus kung makita niya nga ang mga Oponganon o bisan gikan sa laing lugar nga nagtinabangay ug nag-inunongay,” he added.

He initially posted that 20,000 residents were affected but later updated his Facebook post to just 4,000 individuals.

Initial information gathered from the Lapu-Lapu City Fire Department placed the number of houses that were reduced to ashes at 600.

Fire Superintendent Tito Purgatorio, however, said last night that they could not make a definitive answer yet as to the exact number of destroyed homes.

He said, though, that the fire covered an area of around 9,000 square meters.

He also said they were still investigating as to the possible cause of the fire and from whose house it started.

In his Facebook post, Chan said the fire, which was reported at 1:31 p.m. and was put under control at 3:23 p.m., broke out in Sitio Santa Maria and spread to Sitio Seaside.

As of 4:30 p.m. yesterday, the conflagration was not yet declared as “fire out.”

The mayor lamented what happened to his constituents.

“Pagkapait ug pagkasakit sa nahiaguman sa gatosan ka mga pamilya nga na-biktima intawon niining sunog sa Purok Sta. Maria, Brgy Pusok nga gani tungod sa kadako sa kayo, milabang pod kini sa laing sitio nga mao ang Seaside,” he said.

“Nagsakit akong dughan nga nagtan-aw sa napaig intawon nga mga panimalay labi na gyud nga nagsingabot na ang kapaskuhan. Giba-banang muabot og 4,000 ka mga indibidwal ang naapektahan,” he added.

The mayor said the incident is the first in the history of Lapu-Lapu as the biggest fire to occur in the city.

“Ginoo ko, tabangi kami nga mahatagan og kalig-on ang mga biktima sa pait nga sitwasyon nga nahimutangan nila karon,” Chan said.

He likewise beseeched God to give them, the city officials, the strength to provide adequate support to the affected families and for all residents to have the heart to unite and help each other in this time of need. — Romeo Marantal (FREEMAN)