Pastor Noel Alvarez of the First Baptist Church and FBC Christian School shows the damage caused by the blaze that hit barangay Sambag 1 Sunday night. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)
Fire destroyed more than 50 houses and damaged four other structures, including the First Baptist Church Christian School, Inc. in barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City on Sunday night.
A total of 135 families were left homeless, the Cebu City Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) said.
No one was reported hurt while damage was pegged at about P1 million.
Police arrested 27-year-old Emmanuel Cuizon Camillo alias “Shaolong,” after neighbors said he threw a butane canister in anger following a heated argument with his mother over money.
The canister exploded upon impact and caused the fire.
An emotional Camillo, who was detained at the Cebu City Police Station 2, admitted he had an argument with his mother but denied throwing any butane canister.
He blamed his uncle Rusty Camillo, who allegedly allowed the use of his room for pot sessions.
SFO1 Ariel Balajadia, head investigator of Pahina Central Fire Station, said they were waiting for witnesses to execute sworn statements against Camillo.
He said they received the alarm at 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The blaze was placed under control after an hour and 29 minutes.
The displaced families are temporarily housed in Sambag 1 gym.
They were provided medical services yesterday while the DSWS distributed food packs.
Sambag 1 barangay captain Lemar Alcover said they plan to transfer the victims to the Cebu City Central School or Abellana National High School because the barangay gym is open.