Retired cop injured in Camputhaw fire

CEBU, Philippines - A retired police officer was injured during a fire that hit his house and two other residential houses past 2 a.m. yesterday in Purok 8, Barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City.

Francisco Lao, 60, was sleeping inside his room of his two-storey house when the fire broke out. Cebu City Fire Department received the alarm at 2:25 a.m.

Fire Chief Investigator Allen Arciaga said that while attempting to get out of his house, Lao sustained burns to different parts of his body.

He was then rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center.

The fire gutted down Lao’s house and the nearby house owned by Rina Siares, and partially burned another one owned by Nene Sombe. All three houses were made of light materials.

It also razed a white Toyota Tamaraw parked in front Lao’s house.

The fire was put under control at 3:20 a.m. Damage was pegged at P450,000.

Fire investigators are still determining the cause of the fire, which reportedly originated from Lao’s room on the second floor.

Arciaga said the fire was the ninth that occurred in the city in this Fire Prevention Month.

Cebu City Fire Marshall Esmael Codilla reminded the residents to always check the electrical wirings of their houses. — Niña G. Sumacot/LPM   (FREEMAN NEWS)