20141231 Philippines Dawn fire destroys 67 houses in Lapu
Philippines Dec 31 2014 “Houses”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 30 to 69 Injured : injured 1 to 9
Dawn fire destroys 67 houses in Lapu
Updated: 2013-01-01-12:00
A firefighter battles the fire that hit Sitio San Roque, Basak, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday dawn. Joy Torrejos
CEBU, Philippines – A total of 67 houses were destroyed after a fire hit Sitio San Roque, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, yesterday dawn.
The fire alarm was received by the Lapu-Lapu City Fire Department at 2:25 a.m. yesterday.
Fire officials in Lapu-Lapu City raised the fire alarm to Task Force Bravo and firemen from the neighboring cities of Mandaue and Cebu Cities responded to the alarm. Members of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation also rushed to the area.
The fire was placed under control at 3:17 a.m., while total fire-out was declared at 5:30 a.m., fire officials said. Damage was estimated P540,000. All destroyed houses were made of light materials.
A resident of the place also said that a six-year-old boy was brought to a hospital in Mandaue after he sustained burns in the different parts of his body during the fire, but fire investigators have yet to check on this report.
The fire reportedly started at the house of a certain Jocelyn Tomial, 40, a mother of five who engages in a small lending business. However, fire investigators have also yet to verify this.
“Nakamata ko sa piti-piti sa gawas sa kwarto maong akong gigawas pero dako naman ang kayo sa bongbong dapit sa kusina. Akong gisulod og balik sa kwarto akong bana ug gipukaw apil na among mga anak,” Tomial told fire investigators.
Neighbors even tried to help put out the fire but failed to do so since the houses in the areas were built too close.
Some neighbors alleged that the Tomials where cooking a lamb for the fiesta when the fire hit, but the Tomials said that the lamb had already been cooked and served to visitors.
Basak Barangay Captain Isabelo Darnayla, who visited the place, said those left homeless by the fire are temporary housed at the barangay sports complex. He also said the City Social Welfare Office has also provided ready-to-eat food to the victims.
The barangay just celebrated its fiesta last December 30.
Mayor Paz Radaza directed the City Social Welfare Office to make sure the fire victims get all the support they need as today is a holiday because of the New Year celebration. — /BRP (FREEMAN)
Websource：Philstar
http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2014/01/01/1274046/dawn-fire-destroys-67-houses-lapu