Fire razes 27 houses in Mabolo

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 27 houses or 125 individuals were burned in a fire that hit Sitio Lahing-lahing 1, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City on Wednesday noon.

Investigators said the fire reportedly started on the third floor of the house of a certain Epifanio Agarpao.

The Bureau of Fire Protection received the alarm at about 12:30 p.m., and it was raised to the first alarm at 12:38 p.m. It was finally declared under control at 1:30 p.m. and fire out at 1:50 p.m.

According to Fire Officer 3 Fulbert Navarro, investigator at Cebu City Fire Station, they are still in the process of investigating as to the real cause of the fire.

However, Agarpao believed that the fire may have been due to electric-related  causes, saying that no one was around when the fire started on the third story since the occupants were either in school or at work.

Navarro said that no one was reported to have died from the fire, but he identified Cristina Pabilic, 43, and Marina Varro, 73, who incurred injuries. Varro sustained an abrasion to her right waist.

Navarro added that the estimated damage arising from the fire reached P690,000.

Because the fire erupted in an interior portion of the community, fire responders had to connect their hoses in order to reach the affected portions.

An initial list showed at least 36 families or 125 individuals affected by the fire.

Agarpao and his neighbors said that it was not the first time that their place was hit by a fire.

Agarpao sought the understanding of his neighbors in the wake of the incident, saying he did not intend the same to happen. In fact, he said that since he just came from work when the fire hit their place, he was unable to save any belongings.

For his part, Mabolo barangay captain Franklyn Gajudo said that the fire victims will be temporarily housed at the barangay sports complex or, in case the space will not be enough, at the Mabolo Elementary School cultural gymnasium.

Gajudo said at least 50 houses were affected.

He also assured that the barangay will do its best to extend help to the victims. — JMD (FREEMAN)