2 more fire incidents occur in Metro Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Fire incidents continued to hit Metro Cebu in this Fire Prevention Month, with the latest recorded in the cities of Mandaue and Talisay.

This, as the Cebu City government through its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CCDRMC) is set to train jobless residents in barangays to become members of the community fire auxiliary group.

In Mandaue City, 500 individuals were affected and 50 houses were destroyed in a fire that hit Sitio Papaya and Manggahan in Barangay Ibabao-Estancia at 7 pm on March 7.

At 7:20 pm, the fire was raised to first alarm, and a fireout was declared at 8:23 pm. The cause of the fire is still being investigated, which reportedly started at the house of Anna Sumalinog.

The damage to property was pegged at P500,000.

The Mandaue City Government, through the City Social Services Offices, immediately provided hot meals and family kits to the fire victims.

The City Risk Reduction and Management Office also provided modular tents for the fire victims, who are temporarily sheltered at the barangay gym.

Mandaue City Lone District Representative Emmarie Ouano-Dizon said that next week, her office will distribute P10,000 financial assistance each for houses destroyed by the fire and P5,000 each for damaged houses.

In Talisay City, the fire in Kabayoan 2, Sitio Laray, Barangay San Roque destroyed four houses and damaged 37 other houses, with an estimated 211 individuals affected..

Damage to property was pegged at P1,050,000.

FO2 Mar Dee Auxtero II, lead fire arson investigator of Talisay City Fire Station, said the cause of the fire is still being looked into.

Auxtero clarified that the fire happened in Talisay City area, not Cebu City as earlier reported.

“Sa Talisay City area na belong ang fire scene, pero boundary ni siya between Cebu City and Talisay ang area sa nasunugan,” Auxtero said.

He said narrow roads have made the firefighting more challenging, making it difficult for the firefighters to penetrate to the scene.

“Naglisud gyud og sulod ang atong mga firefighters kay gamay ang agi-anan unya ang sunog tua pa gyud sa pinakatumoy,” said Auxtero.

They received the call for assistance at 3:48 pm. It was raised to second alarm at 3:53 pm as the fire scene is a residential area that were mostly made of light materials. It was declared under control at 4:35 pm and was extinguished at 4:57 pm.

Training for jobless residents

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Government, through the City’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CCDRMC), announced its plan to train jobless residents in the barangays to be become members of the community fire auxiliary group.

CCDRMC Chairman Ramil Ayuman told The Freeman that his office is planning to train 10 “tambays” or jobless in every sitio in the barangay.

“Kada sitio, 10 among kuhaon especially kanang mga tambay, mga way lingaw ba, mao nay atong i-train for five days sila,” said Ayuman.

The training program will have its pilot launch in the city's 20 fire-prone barangays. These are Guadalupe, Capitol, Labangon, Duljo-Fatima, Mambaling, Inayawan, Cogon Pardo, Bulacao, Pob. Pardo, Basak Pardo, Sambag 1 and 2, Lorega, T.Padilla, Tinago, Tejero., Tisa, Punta Princesa, Hipodromo and Talamban.

The training, to be organized by the CCDRRMC alongside the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-7, is set on March 16 in Barangay Mambaling. — JG (FREEMAN)