Fires hit Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines — Multiple fire incidents occurred in Mandaue City on Friday, leaving hundreds of residents homeless and destroying millions-worth of properties.

The fire broke out at 5:20PM in the boundary between Barangay Opao and Barangay Looc.

At least 310 families from Sitio Orchids in Barangay Opao and Sitio Pokang in Barangay Looc were affected by the fire and are now taking temporary shelter in their respective barangay gyms.

In Barangay Opao, at least 55 houses were destroyed, affecting 234 individuals. In Barangay Looc, the fire department recorded 56 destroyed houses and one damaged house. The fire displaced 309 individuals.

The fire quickly spread through the residential area, prompting firefighters to upgrade the alarm to the fourth level at 5:45PM. The fire was contained at 7:07PM and was declared “fire out” at 7:33PM.

Senior High School Maritime students from a nearby university also assisted in the firefighting by helping refill waters for the firetrucks.

The damage was pegged at P3.25 million.

Mandaue City fire investigator, FO1 Neil Ian Amancio, told reporters that an elderly died, which he described as an "indirect" death, following the fire.

Amancio identified the fatality Norma Fomoyaso, 62, who sustained first-degree burns on her right arm. She was found unconscious at the fire scene.

Fomoyaso was taken to the Mandaue District Hospital but was pronounced dead at 2:30AM yesterday due to acute myocardial infarction or heart attack.

Meanwhile, a separate fire broke out in Barangay Tabok, Mandaue City on Friday evening.

The firefighters who responded to barangays Looc and Opao immediately proceeded to Barangay Tabok.

The fire was raised to a first alarm and was declared "fire out" at 8:04PM.

Amancio told The Freeman yesterday that as of 8AM, a total of 111 individuals were affected by the fire, with property damage estimated at P10,000 as per data from the City Social Welfare Services Office (CSWSO).

The Mandaue City Bureau of Fire Protection is still conducting a deeper investigation to find put the causes of both fire incidents.

On Thursday, Jan. 23, a fire also destroyed a furniture store and its showroom on Hernan Cortes St., Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City. The alarm was placed at third level and was put out at 3:04 PM,m. Damage to property was pegged at P10 million.

Based on the investigation, the cause of the fire in Sitio Kalubihan, Barangay Tabok was thermal runaway due to battery overcharging.

Meanwhile, authorities are still investigating the fires in Barangay Opao and Barangay Looc as of this writing.

Lapu-Lapu incident

In Lapu-Lapu City, a fire also happened Sitio Sanggi Interior, Barangay Pajo on Friday, destroying 44 houses.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Lapu-Lapu,  the fire, which reached a fifth alarm, was reported at 1:28 PM and was declared under control at 2:58 PM.

In a phone interview with fire investigator FOI Vincent Rhey Reyes, the fire reportedly originated from the house of Wilmer Ching.

During an investigation, a group of children, aged four and five, were playing inside the house when one of them allegedly ignited a lighter near a foam mattress.

The children were the ones left at the house as the owner had gone to work.

“Ang kanang balay, walay tawo kay nitrabaho dayon wala lang na lock ang balay kay ang apo kay maka abli raman sa pultahan. Mao to nga nanulod ang upat ka bata,” Reyes narrated.

Damaged to property was pegged at P792,000. No one was reported hurt.

Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan and Congresswoman Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King Chan,” in coordination with local barangay officials, provided relief assistance to the affected families.

They distributed hygiene kits, mats, cooking utensils, blankets, towels, basins, and pails. Daily goods, such as rice, milk, coffee, and canned goods were also provided.

The Lapu-Lapu City Government also prepared meals for the fire victims in the next few days, which will cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  — JG (FREEMAN)