Fire fighters put off the fire that displaced 13 families in barangay Mabolo, Cebu City yesterday.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Over 50 individuals from 13 families were displaced after fire broke out in barangay Mabolo, Cebu City yesterday morning.
A downpour failed to stop the fire from razing six houses built on a lot that is the subject of a legal battle.
The fire started past 10:30 a.m. and was contained in 15 minutes. Fire damage was pegged at P90,000.
The fire was traced to the house of Elvira dela Cruz, who accused her neighbors, couple Mark Joseph and Marivic Belonda, of being behind the fire to drive her out of the property, said SPO4 Jovito Abelgas of the Cebu City Fire Department.
“Papahawaon naman gud mi diha, gusto nila nga diritso-diritso lang. Dili na siya ang tag-iya sa yuta, nangangkon lang (We were told to vacate, and they want us evicted right away. They are not the owners of the lot),” said dela Cruz. She has a pending case filed against her neighbors to contest their claim.
The couple denied the allegations against them.
Dela Cruz said she saw Belonda’s workers cooking at the back of her house and that the fire was left unattended until flames spread to her house. Relatives of the two families had a confrontation at the fire site before they were pacified.
Mabolo barangay captain Rey Ompoc said a court order has been issued asking residents to vacate the place.
Packed meals were distributed to the fire victims as relief aid, said Ester Concha, head of the Cebu City Department of Social Welfare and Services./WITH CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON