731 bulacao residents lose homes: Old woman dies in fire
CEBU, Philippines — A 62-year-old woman died while four were injured in a fire that destroyed 118 houses and displaced 731 residents of Sitio Siwac in Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City evening on Thursday, February 5, 2021.
The woman was identified as Lolisa Cabaluna. She was living alone at the time of the incident.
Quoting Cabaluna’s neighbors, authorities said it was at her house that they first noticed the fire after a blackout in the area.
"Kagabii, base sa among investigation, according sa mga kasilinganan ni Ma'am Lolisa… ni brownout kuno ni unya pagsiga sa suga, mao nalang ilang nali-lian nga dako na ang kayo sa balay ni Ma'am Lolisa," said Fire Officer 3 Emerson Arceo.
He said it was only the following morning when firefighters located Lolisa’s body. They had a difficult time locating her the night of the incident because the area was very dark.
"Sa sige’g pangita sa bomber, wala gyud dayon makita sya… karon pa nato ma-recover iyang patay’ng lawas," Arceo said yesterday, Friday.
He said it is possible that the fire was caused by an electrical problem.
"Posible nga ang kuryente kay gikan og brownout, dayon pagsiga, pero ingon ang mga silingan, daghan kuno nakakita nga nagkuan kuno sila, kandila, then daghan kuno og sanina sa sulod sa iyang balay," Arceo said.
Several residents suffered from first degree burns, including Elain Dela Victoria, 50; Rosario Caballes, 55; Moreno Ebrado, 27; and Alipio Juquilo Jr., 67.
The Cebu City Fire Office received the alarm at 8:53 p.m. The fire was raised to second alarm at 9:10 p.m. and to third alarm at 9:26 p.m.
It was placed under control at 10:29 p.m. and was put out completely at 10:31 p.m.
Investigators estimate the damage at P600,000.
Arceo said access to the area was the biggest challenge firefighters had to face when responding to the fire that night.
The fire victims are temporarily sheltered at Bulacao Community School.
They were also provided packed meals by the Cebu City government.— JMO (FREEMAN)
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