CEBU, Philippines — SEVEN families lost their homes in a fire that hit Sitio Bagumbayan 1, Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, shortly after midnight on Tuesday, July 2, leaving an estimated damage of at least P2.5 million.
The fire started at the house of a certain Melody Omongos at 12:55 a.m. It took at least an hour for the Lapu-Lapu City Fire Department to control the blaze. It was extinguished at 2:30 a.m.
Judy Ann Daño said she went outside their house at 12:55 a.m. and noticed a thick black smoke coming from the house of Omongos.
“Around 12:55 a.m. kay nigawas ko’s amoa unya nahibong lang ko kay ni itom man ang langit so dali-dali intawn ko’g pukaw sa akong manghod kay akong pa chattan iyang amega, which is ang balay nila duol jud kaayos nasunogan,” Daño said.
Mabibago Barangay Captain Russell Abing said they provided tents for shelter and food to the fire victims.
“Gawas atong amoang nahatag nga balig 50 ka packs, unya 40 ra man gyud ka individuals pero 50 to ka packs among gipalit. Sa among nasabutan sa council mopalit mi og bugas na lang para ihatag sa matag bubong kay bali mani og 7 ka pamilya so mao nay among na come up sa (barangay) providan namo og bugas ug kanang canned goods ug noodles,” said Abing.
Each affected family will get a sack of rice and other food supply, Abing said.
The Lapu-Lapu City government has also deployed personnel from the Social Welfare and Development Office (SWDO) to assist the fire victims. — PIT-Interns (FREEMAN)