Medilio Cañedo (CDN Photo/Norman Mendoza)
Two children are reportedly missing from the fire that hit Sitios New Paradise, Kitchen and Camansi in Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City on Friday night (March 16).
The children, ages 1 and 3 years old, are sons of a certain Jennifer Cañedo, who is living on the second floor of a house owned by her father, Medilio.
SFO2 Climaco Salisid, the fire investigator of Lapu-Lapu City Fire Central District, said the fire originated in the house of Cañedo.
Salisid said neighbors witnessed Jennifer’s four-year-old daughter playing with matchsticks and sheets of paper which might have caused the fire.
Jennifer left the house in a hurry when the fire broke out leaving the two children behind.
Firemen and barangay tanods (village watcher) are currently searching for the missing children.
Based on initial investigation, Salisid said an estimated 220 households or 600 individuals are affected by the fire.
Estimated damage is at P550,000
Fire broke out at 5:10 p.m. and was declared under control at 8:20 p.m.
Pajo barangay captain Junard Chan said most of Sitio New Paradise was affected and portions of Sitio Camansi and Sitio Kitchen were razed by the fire.
Chan fire victims will be temporarily housed at Pajo Elementary School and Pajo High School.
The Philippine Red Cross Lapu-Lpu Cordova Chapter brought two persons, who are suffering from smoke inhalation, were brought to the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital.
A Cebu City ambulance also brought two other people suffering from smoke inhalation to the same hospital.
Chan advised against rebuilding their homes after thorough fire investigation is finished since the lots are still under litigation.