The fire spread easily in this part of Dona Maria Village Exit since most of the houses were made of light materials. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Fifteen houses were destroyed and seven homes damaged by a fire that broke out in a residential area in Doña Maria Village Exit, barangay Punta Princesa in Cebu City past 11 p.m. yesterday.
Senior Fire Officer Lowel Opolentisima said the fire originated in the house of Maximino Obado where there may have been a problem with the electrical connection.
A total of 81 families were displaced by the fire based on initial reports.
The area is congested and houses were mostly made of light materials. Damage was pegged at P150,000. No one was reported injured.
The families are temporarily staying at the premises of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The Division of Welfare for the Urban Poor said the fire site will be reblocked after it was cleared of the rubble.
“I learned that fire trucks were struggling to enter the area since the road is not wide enough,” DWUP chief Colin Rosell said. He said they will complete the reblocking by next week.
Fire victims of barangay Punta Princesa try to make do with what they salvaged from the remains of their burnt homes. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Acting Mayor Edgar Labella said the city would provide emergency meals for three days, and later on P10,000 in calamity aid after the Department of Social Welfare and Services finalizes its list of fire victims.
In barangay Duljo Fatima, Cebu City, a fire damaged one house in Spolarium Street past 4 p.m. yesterday.
Senior Fire Investigator Edwin Handayan of San Nicolas fire station said the house is owned by couple Carlito and Melodina Ricablanca.
He said Carlito was cooking pork stew on their gas stove when he left it to buy ingredients.
His wife noticed the fire and tried to put it out only for the fire to spread to the ceiling and walls.
Fire investigators pegged the damage at P1,000.