1,000 lose homes in Cebu City fire

CEBU CITY, Philippines — At least 1,000 people lost their homes when a fire hit an urban poor area in Barangay (village) Tejero, Cebu City past 5 p.m. Saturday.

The cause of the fire, which started at the home of Melchor dela Cruz on Villagonzalo Street, in Sitio Luoban, Tejero, is still being investigated, according to the police.

The blaze quickly spread to two other sitios (settlements) – Kanunay Panabang and Blessed Sacrement – and engulfed about 100 houses made of light materials.

Tejero had been hit thrice by fire since 2006, said Tejero Barangay Councilor Garry Lao. The first was in April 2006 and another, in November 2008.

A densely populated area, the homes in Tejero were built close to each other and were mostly made of light materials. The residents were mostly urban poor.

Pilar Rufila said they heard an explosion from Dela Cruz’ house before the fire broke out.

Rufila, 53, said she failed to save any of her belongings because she was busy evacuating her 10 children and grandchildren.

Lao said those who lost their homes have taken shelter at the barangay sports complex.

The Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) and the City Risk Reduction Management Council personnel have been distributing food to t