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