LOOK: Aftermath of the fire in Sitio Kawayan, Brgy. Sambag 2 on Wednesday noon, March 17, 2021. The fire that occurred last March 16, 2021 damaged 79 houses, and displaced 388 individuals. | CDN Digital Photo by Morexette Marie Erram
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Nothing was left inside the house where Raffy Maningui and his family resided in Sitio Kawayan, Barangay Sambag 2 after the fire last Tuesday, March 16, 2021, devoured it.
Maningui, who currently works as an airconditioner technician, began his day on Wednesday, March 17, getting metal scraps from the ruins of their house.
He said as of the moment, they will be selling these materials so they can have money to spend on food and other essentials they need to get back on their feet.
“We need building materials so we can reconstruct our house, and food for the next days as we stay in the gymnasium,” said Maningui in Cebuano.
The fire in Sitio Kawayan burned down 79 houses, displaced 152 families or 388 individuals. Some of the victims, including Maningui and his family, are currently staying in a nearby barangay-owned gymnasium.
RELATED STORY: Afternoon fire razes 50 houses, displaces 100 families in Sambag 2
All in all, fire investigators pegged the damage at P1.25 million.
Investigations are still ongoing to determine the root cause of the flames, which broke out at 2:53 p.m. last Tuesday. Firefighters declared fire out nearly two hours later, or at 4:31 p.m.
Maningui said he was inside his house when the fire occurred, and that when he heard kids yelling ‘sunog’ (fire), he rushed to ensure his two kids and cousins get out of the area safely.
“I did not think of anything else but the lives of my children and the rest of my family. The flames spread so quickly that I did not dare to return to save whatever I can,” he explained.
Barangay officials of Sambag 2 are now planning to declare a state of calamity in Sitio Kawayan so they can finance the assistance needed for the fire victims.
RELATED STORY: State of calamity mulled in Sitio Kawayan
/bmjo