Residents of Barangay Ermita cross the creek with their belongings to escape the raging fire on Tuesday, February 5. | Photo by Tonee Despojo
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Two people were confirmed to have sustained injuries when a huge fire broke out in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City.
Fire Senior Superintendent Gilbert Dolot, director of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Central Visayas (BFP – 7), said the victims were identified as Worley Cerelles and Wendel Takoloy.
Dolot said Cerelles sustained lacerations or cuts in the arms while Takoloy received first-degree burns on his arms.
He added that the victims were being treated by first-aid personnel.
The fire affected Sitios Pig Vendor or Vendor, Bato, and Kastilaan or Katsilaan. Initial investigations from BFP – 7 said that the flames started from a house owned by a certain Ronron Sarmiento.
READ: Fire razes at least 100 houses in 3 sitios in Ermita, Cebu City
The alarm was received at 1:15 p.m., and was raised to general alarm at 2:22 p.m. It was placed under control at 3:07 p.m. or nearly two hours later.
READ: Why firefighters took two hours to put out Ermita fire
At least 100 houses were burned down, and authorities are still calculating the damage incurred.
READ: Scenes from Ermita fire
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