People helplessly watch as the dawn fire in Lorega quickly spread and razed 20 houses and damaged 8 more. (CDN PHOTO/APPLE TA-AS)
20 houses were razed while eight were partially damaged after a fire broke out at Upper Lomar, Barangay Lorega San Miguel, Cebu City at Sunday dawn.
According to SFO3 Pier Abellana, duty investigator, the fire started from one of the rented rooms at the second floor of the apartment owned by Efren Coyoca Jr.
The fire was reported at 1:53 a.m. and was raised to second alarm, where all nearby firetrucks were tasked to respond.
Abellana said the fire was declared under control 27 minutes later.
No one was reported hurt during the incident.
Abellana said initial investigation revealed the fire started at the ceiling and quickly spread to nearby residential houses which are made mostly of light materials.
FOI Grace Colina said they are still investigating what caused the fire.
The initial damage was pegged at P400,000.