Fire destroys 39 houses in Tinago

Yesterday’s heavy rains didn’t stop a fire from razing at least 39 houses, injuring a 35-year-old woman  in barangays Tinago and Tejero in Cebu City.

The fire started at 2:50 a.m. in the house of  60-year-old Nene Silva.

Some residents suspected that    Christmas lights in the  house were defective, but Silva said she unplugged the lights earlier because of the rains. She said the water may have caused an electrical short in the circuit breaker and caused the fire.

Property damage was pegged at P76,000.

Silva’s daughter Olen suffered second-degree burns in her hand.

“Paita ang Pasko ug New Year namo ani,” said Silva.

Fire investigators said the fire started in the first floor of the  two-story house then  spread quickly to  shanties of sitio Silingan Dos.

Silva said she,  Olen and her granddaughter Riza were awakened by the heat and saw the wall already on fire.

A total of 39 houses, mostly made of light materials, were destroyed, and seven were partly damaged.

At least 100 families were displaced, said barangay welfare workers. Fire victims took shelter in  the Philippine Coast Guard headquarters in Pier 3.

Tejero councilor Gary Lao said about  20 houses were also razed in Tejero but victims could not immediately use the  barangay gym because it was flooded.

Tinago councilor Boy Suson called for donations for the fire victims, especially used clothing. /Correspondents Chito O. Aragon and Jhunnex Napallacan