Fire destroys three houses in Tanke, Talisay City

CEBU, Philippines – An overheated ceiling fan could be the cause of the fire that hit at least three houses in Sitio Salvador, Barangay Tanke, Talisay City yesterday afternoon.

The fire broke out at 2:55 p.m.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Marcelino Aguilar of the Talisay City Fire Station told reporters that a certain Judy, daughter of Antonio Tangub, turned on the fan at the second floor of their house.

Later, Judy went down to get something.  But when she went back, she saw the fire had already started, said Aguilar.

Tangub’s family immediately evacuated with their things. But the fire managed to hit to the houses of neighbors Mateo Layese and Bartolome Boc.

Aguilar said Tangub's and Boc’s houses were partially burned while Layese’s was totally burned.

Clint Basillote, 23, who helped put out the fire was injured and was brought to Talisay City District Hospital.

Fire responders raised the incident to a second alarm and estimated the damage to be at P60,000. The fire marshals of Naga City also responded.

City Councilor Danny Caballero said he would ask Barangay Captain Perla Cabanes to assist the affected families and to accommodate them for assistance.

He also urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development to give assistance to the affected families.

Aguilar added that they were having the hard time responding to the fire scene since the road was too narrow and there were motorcycles and pedicabs parked along the road.

Meanwhile, with Christmas season now around the corner, Chief Insp. Randy Mendaros will be making rounds in the city to inform the public on safety precautions in buying and using Christmas lights.

Mendaros said because it is usual for people to decorate their houses and establishments with lights during Christmas, there is a need, he said, to educate them on safe use.

"Kung dili ta kamao og unsaon paggamit ug unsa sab nga klase sa Christmas lights ang atong gigamit, delikado gyud ta labi na ang atong mga balay. Mao na nga mag-amping ta," Mendaros said.

He urged the public to refrain from buying fake or substandard Christmas lights to prevent fire and electrical accidents.

"Prolonged use could cause short circuits. So kung mangatulog na pagngun gyud ang mga Christmas lights aron wala’y peligro," Mendaros added.

Mendaros also told The FREEMAN that the public should always look for ICC or Import Commodity Clearance and Philippine Standards seals when buying Christmas lights.

But he also advised buyers to regulate their use in order to lessen risks, as well as save on electricity.

Mendaros said they will visit houses to inform the public on how and what kind of Christmas decors or lights to use.

He also warned the public against overloading and use of “octopus connections.”

He said there were fire incidents during the holidays in Talisay City last year but they were not related to series lights. (FREEMAN)