Elderly who just got cash aid from Cebu City killed in fire

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A senior citizen, who just received P3,000 in cash assistance from the Cebu City government, was killed in a fire that destroyed his house and those of three others late Tuesday in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City.

The body of Celso Serad, 67, was discovered by fire fighters among the debris of his house in Sitio Dumpsite, Barangay Inayawan, where the fire started.

SFO3 Daniel Relatado Jr., fire investigator of the Cebu City Fire Department, said the fire might have been started by an unattended lighted candle inside Serad’s shanty, which had no power connection.

Serad went home drunk on Tuesday after a drinking spree with his neighbors. Serad had just received P3,000 in financial assistance given by the city government to senior citizens.

Senior citizens in Cebu City receive a total of P12,000 in annual assistance, which is given in three installments.

The last tranche worth P3,000 was given last Tuesday.

SFO3 Daniel Relatado Jr., fire investigator of the Cebu City Fire Department, said they suspected that Serad, who lived alone in his shanty following his separation from his wife, lighted a candle before he went to sleep.

The fire broke out at 10:11 p.m. and was put under control after 25 minutes until it was totally put out at 12:53 a.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 16).

The fire destroyed three other houses.  SFM