Fire razes five houses in Talisay City

FIVE houses were razed yesterday by fire in barangay Bulacao, Talisay City, southern Cebu.

The fire started at the house of 49-year-old Elizabeth Panal. Her grandchildren were seen playing with matches before the house caught fire, said SFO2 Ellen Aguilar of the Talisay City Fire Department.

The fire broke out at 8:45 a.m. It was put out in three minutes.

The fire also destroyed the houses of Richel Panal, 21; Melchora Parba, 40; Hendre Cabriana, 30; and Marciano Pardoncillo.

Damage was pegged at P50,000.

No one was injured in the incident.

In Mandaue City, a BMW sedan caught fire in the basement parking area of a mall.

Workers of J Centre Mall put off the fire using fire extinguishers. Damage was estimated at P6,000.

The car is owned by Gui Gayoma.

Investigators said an electrical system failure may have caused the fire./CORRESPONDENT GABRIEL C. BONJOC AND REPORTER JUCELL MARIE P. CUYOS