13 houses destroyed in Lahug fire

Thirteen houses were destroyed by a fire yesterday morning in the interior portion of sitio Bayanihan, barangay Lahug,

The city fire department received the alarm around 5:44 a.m. and Supt. Ismael Codilla raised it to the third alarm upon learning that the houses were close together and mostly made of light materials.

The fire was declared under control 10 minutes after firemen arrived at the scene but SFO2 Bernardito Baruel said it took them more than an hour to completely douse the flames.

Initial investigation conducted by SFO2 Felix Romero, duty fire investigator of the scene, revealed the fire started at the house owned by Theodoro Radan, particularly under the stairs were his kitchen is located.

But his son Theodoro Jr. told reporters that he suspects the fire may have started from the ceiling of their house because he saw thick smoke coming down from there.

Codilla told reporters that firefighters and fire trucks had some difficulty penetrating the interior portion because of the very narrow roads made more congested by fleeing residents.

At least eight fire trucks responded in the fire scene including those from the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation and Filipino Chinese Fire Brigade.

No one was reported killed during the incident but firefighters SFO2s Roy Maratas and Isagani Bagano and SFO1 Cleto Fullido, sustained cuts in their hands due to broken glass during the operation.

The damage was pegged at P1.5 million. One of the houses destroyed was that of Lahug councilman Kenneth Siasarat.

Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann Delos Santos, who is running for mayor this coming polls, went to the scene and told reporters they will give assistance to the fire victims from their calamity funds.

Cebu City councilor Gerry Carrillo also said the city will be giving assistance to the fire victims as well as food, water and housing materials. - Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP