An afternoon fire yesterday hit a slum area in barangay Duljo-Fatima, totally burning down at least nine houses and partially damaging three others.
Many of those totally burned by the fire, which also injured a 19-year-old woman, were made of mixed concrete and light materials.
The injured woman was identified as Geralyn Abello, 19, daughter of Ramon Abello, whose house along C. Padilla Street was reportedly where the fire started. Geralyn was rushed to the hospital when she injured her right leg after jumping off the terrace from their burning house.
SFO2 Felix Romero told The Freeman that among the houses that were totally burned were those of Noel Barbac, Mike Miguel Cabataño, Joseph Villaber, Antolin Navarro, Tita Escalante, Carmen Escalante, Brigido “Boy” Bacalso and Vicente Misterio.
Those that were partially damaged were owned by Catalina Alcala, Jun Togade and Glen Election, said Tomero.
Geralyn, who was still whimpering in pain at a make shift store, told The Freeman that she was sleeping in her room located on the second floor of their house when she heard somebody shouting that their house was on fire.
She said she then quickly climbed the terrace and jumped to the ground. But she landed badly and hurt her right leg, and was carried out to safety by her relatives and neighbors.
Geralyn’s older sister, Grace, who is eight months pregnant, said they were not able to save any of their things because she had to carry her two sons away from the fire. Their father was not around during the incident as he was attending to their shellcraft business.
Grace said her neighbors shouted at her that the second floor of their house was on fire, prompting her to immediately make the escape with her two sons.
Romero said the fire, which was raised to second-alarm status, started at around 2:20pm., adding that four houses were already in flames when firefighters arrived. The blaze was controlled after 20 minutes.
Romero said some residents angrily snatched the fire hoses from the firefighters and trained them at their houses.“Lisud baya kay dunay mga tawo nga magpabombero-bombero, nangilog og fire hose kay gusto silang unahon ang ilang balay,” Romero said. — Edwin Ian Melecio/LPM