Talamban fire displaces 82 families; reblocking mulled

VICTIMS of Friday’s fire in barangay Talamban, Cebu City  can stay at the public elementary school for now  as   city officials study whether to reblock the burned site.

At least 66 houses of light materials in sitio Kadahuan were razed in the  afternoon fire suspected to have started in a house used as a drug den.

The fire left 65-year-old Erlinda Himaya with third degree burns in her arms and legs. She was rushed to the hospital by her neighbors.

Talamban barangay officials approved a P150,000 outlay to buy   housing materials for the displaced families in the urban poor neighborhood.

Talamban Barangay Captain Dario Arcilla said the measure was passed during an emergency session Friday night.

A total of  82 families and 357 individuals were recorded as fire victims but the data still has to be validated by social workers.  Financial aid of  P10,000 will be given to house owners whose dwellings were destroyed.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama  visited the area and ordered the transfer of survivors to the Talamban Elementary School.

“We already have the template (for responding to a fire.) I  visited the area where the fire occurred and the gym. They will have to be transferred beside the school. If reblocking will not create any complication and technicalities, then why not?” Rama said

Fire investigators are looking for the  owner of  the house where the fire started. Neighbors said a lit candle  was left unattended in  Richard Hermoso’s house where people were  allegedly sniffing shabu.

FO3 Ferlando Iban, fire investigator, said  arson is hard to prove without a witness but they want to invite Hermosa for some questions.

Cebu City Division for the Welfare of the Urban (DWUP) head Collin Rosell said he is coordinating with the  city disaster office  to assess the area for reblocking, which would widen narrow   streets to improve access in future emergencies.