A lighted candle that tipped over was believed to have caused yesterday’s fire that destroyed 32 houses in barangay Tejero, Cebu City.

The fire displaced 84 families. It reportedly started in the house of Reynaldo Lañas.

A barangay official said Lañas’ house was among those affected by a recent crackdown by the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) on illegal connections.

Veco cut off power in the sitio last week, prompting many residents to use candles for light at home.

Barangay Councilman Garry Lao expressed frustration over repeated warnings that went unheeded for residents in sitio Blessed Sacrament not to resort to illegally tapping electric power lines. Speaking on a megaphone, he angrily scolded residents about rampant electricity theft in the area.

Chief Insp. Rogelio Bongabong, the city fire marshal, said they will investigate the matter.

The blaze was put under control in 20 minutes after it broke out at 5:10 a.m. A morning downpour helped douse the fire and keep it from spreading.

Fire trucks in Cebu City and from neighboring cities rushed to respond the fire.

Irene Duterte, one of the fire victims, failed to save her personal belongings except for an image of Jesus Christ.

“All I could think of was I had to come out alive. I was praying and took this image out with me,” Duterte said.

Looters ransacked a neighborhood store amid the chaos.

Store caretaker, Dominic Desierto, ran out when the fire broke out.

Unidentified men entered the store and hauled out some items and cash.

Police arrested Joven Rodriguez after he was seen carrying bags of coins, believed to have been taken from the store.

Fire victims were supposed to be housed at the barangay Tejero sports gym about six blocks away but displaced families chose to stay near their burned houses to protect their area.

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