CEBU, Philippines — Around 132 individuals were left homeless after a morning fire that hit Sitio Apple, Cogon, Pardo yesterday, Dec. 6, 2024.
According to Cebu City s information office, 21 houses were affected by the fire, displacing 31 families.
Of the total number of houses, 16 were destroyed and five partially affected.
The fire, according to witnesses, started at the house of a certain Rosaleah Payao.
Fortunately, no one was hurt nor killed during the incident, while the initial report from the BFP said that the total damage cost was around P750,000.
Julius Labaya, a barangay tanod, who was also one of the fire victims, said he tried to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher but failed as the flames spread rapidly.
Labaya suspects that the fire may have been caused by an overloaded electrical connection after an explosion was heard.
On the other hand, FO2 James Parinasan along with ground commander FSUPT Reynaldo Enoc are still continuing their investigation as of this writing.
Most of the affected families are currently seeking shelter at the Barangay Hall s Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, said barangay captain Harry Eran.
Eran said a relocation site will be offered to the affected residents to pave way for reblocking in the area.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia personally led the distribution of cash assistance to fire victims of Barangays Tinago, Basak-Pardo, and Mambaling.
Each family affected by the fires received P10,000 each.
The aid was provided under the Emergency Housing Assistance Program of the National Housing Authority (NHA), with additional support from the office of Senator Bong Go.
This initiative is aimed to help families rebuild their lives and homes after the devastating fire incidents.