200 families lose home in Lapu-Lapu fire
The aftermath of the fire that hit a community in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu early dawn Sunday. Joy Torrejos
CEBU, Philippines - At least 200 families lost their homes to a fire that hit a densely populated Sitio Matumbo in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City early morning yesterday.
SFO2 Climaco Salisid of the Lapu-Lapu City Fire Department said initial investigation has shown the fire was caused by a lighted candle that was left unattended inside one of the rooms at the second floor of the house owned by 38-year-old Francisca Nacional.
National admitted using the candle because they lost their electrical connection. From her house, the fire spread quickly to their neighbors’ houses as these were made of light materials and built very close to each other.
Three children in Nacional’s family were injured – Jamaica, 15; Franjiel, 10; and Carlo Anthony, four.
Salisid said the fire started at 2:46 a.m. and was controlled almost two hours later at past 4 a.m. Damage was pegged at P800,000.
At least 10 fire trucks from neighboring cities responded to the fire.
Meanwhile, another fire broke out in Sitio Kamanggahan in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City also dawn yesterday, affecting at least 30 houses made of light materials.
No one was injured in the incident.
SFO2 Ramon Molina of Cebu City Fire Department said they received the alarm around 1:28 a.m. and eventually responded to the scene, controlling the fire at past 2 a.m.
The fire was put out fully at past 6 a.m.
As of yesterday, firefighters were yet to determine the cause of the fire but damage was estimated at P200,000. — With Christell Fatima M. Tudtud/JMO (FREEMAN)
- Latest
