A THREE-year-old boy suffered burns in a fire that destroyed about 20 houses in Sitio San Antonio de Padua, Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City yesterday.
The blaze started at the second floor of the house of Zenaida “Bebeth” Nunez where people heard an explosion at 5:13 p.m., but Cebu City Fire Marshal Vonrad Dublouis said they still have to investigate the cause of the fire.
Firefighters had difficulty entering the fire scene, prompting authorities to raise the fire to general alarm.
The narrow roads, coupled with the danger posed by the “spaghetti” or dangling electric wires made it more difficult for firefighters to operate. It took firefighters 20 minutes to control the blaze.
Most of the houses that were razed were made of light materials. Investigators pegged the damage at P150,000.
Aside from three-year-old Shawn Dolino, who sustained first degree burns on his left arm and right leg, no one else was reported hurt.
Dublouis told reporters that there should be a re-blocking of the area to widen passages.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama arrived to inspect the fire scene. He plans to have the area re-phased and turned into a village, including the Citicenter in Barangay Kamagayan.
“There are already plans before regarding this matter and hopefully, this will be done as soon as possible for the benefit of the people,” he said.
Rama said he will send assistance to the affected families, especially for their meals as they stay temporarily at the Kamagayan Barangay Hall.