Cebu fire razes 80 houses

FIRE volunteers of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation prepare their hose while waiting for the water pressure in front of the burning houses at Sitio Magtinabangay, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, on Saturday. JUNJIE MENDOZA/CEBU DAILY NEWS

CEBU CITY—At least 80 houses were destroyed past 1 p.m. on Saturday when fire struck an urban poor resettlement site located in a hilly village here.

No one was reported hurt in the blaze that displaced hundreds of residents in Sitios (sub-villages) Pagtambayayong and Magtinabangay, Barangay (village) Tisa, Cebu City.

Fire investigators said the fire broke out at 1:24 p.m. in Sitio Pagtambayayong and may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit.

The fire then spread to Sitio Magtinabangay near the Metro Cebu Water District filtration station.

Barangay Councilor Eduardo Cabulao said the fire victims would be temporarily housed in the barangay gym while they rebuild their houses.

He said the barangay would also allow them to use its five tents if they opt to stay near their burned houses.

Cabulao said he called the city fire department when the fire struck at 1:20 p.m. But it took fire fighters about 40 minutes to respond.

While waiting for the fire trucks to arrive, he said they sent the barangay mini fire trucks to help contain the fire.

The residents, he added, also helped fetch water to fill the tank of the mini fire trucks. Doris C. Bongcac with Chito O. Aragon, Inquirer Visayas