Fire burns 30 houses in Barangay Mambaling

CEBU, Philippines — At least 30 houses were burned down by a fire that hit Sitio Club Kawayan in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City early morning yesterday.

Fire investigators reported that the fire occurred at Ybanez Compound but later clarified that the affected houses were actually located in the nearby Sitio Club Kawayan.

Senior Fire Officer 1 (SFO1) Riza Julve of the Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO) said they received the fire alarm at 5:22 a.m.

The fire was then raised to second alarm before it was placed under control at 6:18 a.m. The fire was put out at 6:57 a.m. or more than an hour later.

Damage to properties was pegged P150,000.

Julve said that the fire was reported to have started at the residence of Rabin Siacor that was made of light materials. It escalated to nearby houses.

Julve said no one from the residents has been reported injured or killed during the incident, which broke out while most of them were still asleep.

As of press time, investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.

Mambaling Barangay Captain Gines Abellana said fire victims were provided with meals for breakfast and lunch.

"I am preparing sa katong mga sanina nangita ko dirig muamot sa sanina, mostly sa 99 families nga nasunogan, wala tawon mga sanina,"Abellana told reporters, as he called on those who have used clothing to donate.

Families affected by the fire are sheltered in the barangay gymnasium.

Abellana said they are eyeing to give fire victims materials to rebuild their houses.

"Ang amo lang gyud giuna sa pagkakaron ilang hourly and daily needs, mao gyuy giuna namo, unya na ang building materials and others," he added.  —LPM (FREEMAN)