Fire leaves 28 families homeless in Barangay Apas

CEBU, Philippines - A total of P150,000 worth of structural damage was reported after at least 17 houses were razed and two others were gutted by fire in Sitio Sto. Niño, Barangay Apas, Cebu City yesterday dawn.

Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said that 28 families composed of 101 individuals were left homeless.

The Cebu City fire department received the fire alarm at 2:38 a.m. and was raised to third alarm before it was declared under control at 3:10 a.m.

The firefighters completely put out the fire at 7:11 a.m.

Fire marshal Rogelio Bongabong said that the fire started at the house owned by Ester Garcia. Electrical misuse was eyed as possible cause of the fire.

Bongabong said the fire quickly spread since the houses were made of light materials.

“Naglisod ta kay bakilid man tong ubos unya dali kaayo misaka ang init sa taas,” he said.

Bongabong added that they had difficulty in reaching the fire scene since there was only entry point. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

 Ayuman assured that the affected families can rebuild their houses even if the lot is owned by the provincial government.

For now, the fire victims are encouraged to stay at the sports center in the barangay. Although some of them preferred to stay in the area.

 Meanwhile, a car was burned yesterday at the South Road Properties leaving its driver slightly injured and another motorist in critical condition.

 Deaney Dampor, 21, sustained bruises while Jeric Merlin, 21, suffered head injuries and was immediately brought to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

City Traffic Operations Management operations chief Joy Tumulak said that Dampor admitted he was driving fast and did not notice the bulldozed portion of the road that made him lost control of the steering wheel.

Dampor’s car hit the center island and rammed the approaching motorcycle of Merlin from the opposite lane. Both vehicles were totally destroyed.

Senior Fire Officer 3 Roylin Maratas, fire investigator, said that when Dampor had difficulty controlling the steering wheel, the wiring of his car got damaged and caused a spark.

He added that the fuel of Dampor’s car got spilled and caught fire.

A fire also hit in Sitio Maaslom, Barangay Busay, Cebu City Wednesday evening.

The house of Nolito Belarmino, 42, and his live-in partner, Myrna Alvez, 37, was burned. The owners were not around when the fire broke out because they were at work. The damage was pegged at P4,000.  (FREEMAN)