A building which houses the Municipal Trial Court and some government offices in Minglanilla town was was ablaze on Tuesday, December 12. | Photo from the FB page of Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – Two huge fires broke out in Cebu on Tuesday which caused millions worth of damages and left hundreds of families homeless.
The first fire incident was reported at around noon in a government-owned structure in Minglanilla town that was occupied by the Municipal Trial Court and some government offices.
In an advisory, Mayor Rajiv Enad said it was arson and the suspected arsonist was confirmed dead while 11 of the building occupants suffered burns on their body.
READ: IN THE KNOW: 12 deadliest fires since 2010
| Photo from the FB page of Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad
Senior Fire Officer 1 Derek Cordova, chief investigator of Minglanilla Fire Office, said structural damages caused by the third alarm inferno amounted to P6.8 million.
Cordova said the number of those injured also increased to 16 upon further inquiry.
| Photo from the FB page of Rajiv Enad
The Minglanilla blaze was placed under control 40 minutes later or at 12:40 p.m. before it was put out at 12:55 p.m.
Lapu-Lapu fire
About an hour later or at about 1:25 p.m., another huge fire broke out in a thickly-populated coastal community in Sitio Sta. Maria in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City leaving at least a thousand Oponganons homeless this Christmas.
A man douses a pail of water to the raging fire that was consuming his house. | Lapu-Lapu City PIO
In his report, Supt. Tito Purgatorio, the ground commander, said that the fire started at the house of Jeanie Albos.
The blaze reached fourth alarm before it was finally placed under control.
Purgatorio said they are yet to determine the amount of damages caused by the fire and the actual number of structures that were burned down.
Mayor Junard Chan watches helplessly as the flames devour houses in Barangay Pusok on Tuesday afternoon. | Photo from the FB page of Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan
In an advisory, the Lapu-Lapu City Public Information Office (PIO) said that at least 300 homes were razed in the Tuesday afternoon blaze.
As of 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Lapu-Lapu City Social Welfare and Services (CSWS) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had already listed and validated 1, 022 fire-affected families.
Tents were being set up under the Marcelo Fernan bridge following a massive fire on Tuesday, December 12. | Nagiel Bañacia
The victims are currently staying in tents set up at the Pusok basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts that are located under the Marcelo Fernan bridge.
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