THE barangay hall of barangay Ibo in Lapu-Lapu City as well as three houses were gutted by a fire on Monday evening which was reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit.
SFO1 Hadji Luden Samonte said the fire originated from the house of Jesus Jumao-as and spread to the adjacent houses and the two-story barangay hall. No one was reported hurt.
The Lapu-Lapu City Fire Central Department received the alarm at 8:15 p.m. and immediately sent fire trucks to the area.
It was placed under control after three minutes and was declared fire out after 30 minutes.
The firefighters did not have a hard time putting it out because the area was very accessible.
Damage is pegged at P450,000.
Ibo Barangay Captain Mary Jane Cahilog was saddened by the incident as barangay services such as issuance of clearances and other services will be affected. She said they failed to save anything.
They plan to move to a temporary office but they have yet to identify the place.
A new barangay hall will be constructed in the same area.
Mayor Paz Radaza said there is a P2.5 million budget allocated for the repair of the barangay hall.
Since it was razed by fire, Radaza said the city will give additional budget for the construction of a new barangay hall.