1 dead, 118 houses destroyed in Cebu City fire

CEBU CITY—A 52-year-old woman was killed in a fire that destroyed at least 118 houses and displaced over 700 persons in Barangay Bulacao in this city on Thursday evening.

Lulisa Cabaluna, who was alone in her house, was trapped inside her house when the fire broke out in her room past 8:50 p.m., fire authorities said.

Her charred body was found on Friday morning, said city fire investigator Fire Officer 3 Emerson Arceo.

“We received reports that the fire began at Cabaluna’s house and was caused by a lighted candle that fell down in her room. We have to verify this report,” said Arceo.

Many residents were using lighted candles when the fire broke out because there was a power interruption at the time, he said.

The two-hour fire initially displaced 69 families or over 700 individuals. But the number was expected to rise as the listing of the victims was still ongoing as of Friday afternoon, said Elaine Gabutan of the city’s Department of Social Welfare and Services.

Gabutan said displaced families were given temporary shelter at their village gymnasium and were provided with packed meals.