Fire broke out in a densely-packed community in sitio Fatima, barangay Apas, Cebu City at 7:25 p.m. Wednesday.
Radio reports said at least 10 houses owned mostly by persons with disabilities (PWDs) were destroyed.
PWD Amparo Aparece said the blaze started at the second floor of her home, where a mobile phone charger caught fire while being plugged into a power outlet. A neighbor alerted her about the fire.
Fire fighters had trouble reaching the area, which is elevated, because of very narrow roads.
Acting Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, who was at the site, said penetrators, or small fire trucks, were deployed instead.
He said he’ll meet with the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) on Thursday morning to discuss the assistance that will be extended to the affected families.
“They (DSWS) will have to prepare food, financial assistance and materials for rebuilding. This is a government-owned property so re-blocking should not be a problem,” Labella said.
The fire victims will temporarily stay at the barangay sports complex, but will be relocated to a school soon.
As of 9 p.m. Wednesday, the fire was declared under control. Damage was placed at P120,000.