More than 100 houses razed, fire hits 2 brgys

CEBU, Philippines - A huge fire swept through two barangays in Cebu City yesterday afternoon, razing more than 100 houses and damaging at least a million pesos worth of property.

The fire, which started at 3:30 p.m., hit sitios Laray and Caimito in Barangay Carreta and sitio Terra Cura in Barangay Tejero.

It took firefighters an hour to control the blaze, which was raised to Task Force Bravo, a status before the general alarm.

Chief Insp. Rogelio Bongabong, Jr., Cebu City fire marshall, said all fire stations in the city as well as those from the neighboring cities helped put out the fire.

Bongabong said at least 100 houses were razed and they have yet to account structures that are partially burned.

At least P1 million worth of properties went up in flames, he said.

He said the fire quickly spread as the affected houses were made mostly of light materials.

Bongabong said at least two people sustained minor injuries.

He said they are still investigating the cause of the fire, although they have traced it to have started at the house of a certain Luz Barda.

There were allegations that some kids played with combustible materials near a bakery that triggered the fire.

But the fire department is still verifying this report, said Bongabong.

"Dili nato na i-discount as possible cause. Ato nang giimbestigahan karon," the fire marshall told reporters.

Gaudencia Barda, 48, who allegedly owns the bakery, said her workers told her that some kids played with what appeared to be matchsticks and firecrackers beside the bakery.

A fire then erupted a few moments later, she said.

The fire caused heavy traffic as a part of the General Maxilom Avenue was closed.

Staff and children under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 were also evacuated as the blaze crept into its concrete wall.

Traffic enforcers and policemen were deployed to maintain peace and order.

Chief Insp. Wildemar Tiu, chief of Waterfront Police Station, said they arrested two men who were caught stealing an air conditioner and other things the fire victims placed on the road.

"Mga taga-diri ra sad na nag-take advantage sa situation. Gitabangan sa mga tawo, ug nadakpan nato," said Tiu.

He said policemen are also stationed to guard the victims temporarily sheltered at the sports complex.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella estimated some 200 houses hit by the fire and some 2,000 individuals affected.

The victims, Labella said, were temporarily housed at the sports complex and were given free packed meals.

Labella said barangays Tejero and Carreta will be placed under state of calamity.

The vice mayor, who responded to the scene, said there's a lesson to be learned from the fire that the area needs reblocking.

"Kinahanglan ni i-discuss with the city disaster risk reduction with the help of the Council and barangay officials and also of the residents. Musakripisyo g'yud sila para ma-reblock ni diri," said Labella.

But Carreta barangay captain Eduardo Lauron said reblocking is impossible without the consent of the National Housing Authority, which owns majority of the affected lot.

"Unsa ma'y gahum sa city government kung dili musugot ang NHA? Naa na daw consensus nahitabo with NHA before, but wa pa man sila'y action ani. Mahimo g'yud ni if mag-combine forces sila," said Lauron, who also favors the plan.

He said the fire was the biggest to hit the area since 2000.— /LPM (FREEMAN)