Blind woman dies, another seriously injured in Apas fire

Firemen check structures damaged by fire in Barangay Apas, Cebu City. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

Firemen check structures damaged by fire in Barangay Apas, Cebu City. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

A blind woman died and another one injured in an afternoon fire that hit a densely-packed community in Barangay Apas, Cebu City on Monday.

Cebu City Fire Marshall Rogelio Bongabong Jr. said that Natividad Bacalan, 68, was found dead inside her house while Guadalupe Tapitan, 62, was found alive but with serious burns in the body.

Bongabong did not give more details saying they have yet to receive the full report from their men on the ground.

Meanwhile, fire victims are currently staying in tents inside the Department of Science and Technology Central Visayas (DOST 7) compound.

Bongabong said clearing operations will start tomorrow.

The fire damaged at least 60 houses in the area which forms part of the 93-1 province-owned lot.

The Cebu City Fire Department received the alarm around 2:26 p.m., which was later raised to 2nd alarm status asking all nearby fire stations to respond. The fire was put under control at 2:55 p.m. and declared fire out at 5:18 p.m./USJ-R Intern Delyne Marl Saragena

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