Fire destroys 50 homes in Cebu

CEBU CITY–An overheated ceiling fan triggered the fire that destroyed at least 50 houses in Sitio Lapyahan, Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City.
The fire victims had been evacuated to the barangay hall and multi-purpose hall of Labogon.

Violeta Cavada, Mandaue City Social Welfare Service (CSWS) chief, said they were still conducting inventory as to the number of affected families, although as of noon, 35 families or 154 individuals were listed as fire victims.

She added that there were fire victims who had not reported to the CSWS yet.

SFO2 Cipriano Codilla Jr., Mandaue City fire investigator, said the fire broke out at 10:14 p.m. on Friday and was raised to Task Force Alpha before it was put under control at 11:03 p.m.

Codilla said the fire started on the second floor of the house owned by Melecio Ladraga, 68, who forgot to turn off the ceiling fan in his room.
When the fire broke out, Ladraga was on the ground floor while the other family members were outside the house.

Ladraga told investigators that when he noticed the smoke on the second floor, it was already too late because the fire was spreading.

The fire spread toward the neighboring houses, mostly made of light materials.

Codilla said they had difficulty accessing the fire scene since the roads were narrow and there were several vehicles that had double-parked in the area.

The Mandaue City fire department was supported by firetrucks from Cebu City, Consolacion town and other volunteer groups. Jhunnex Napallacan, Inquirer Visayas/CDG