25 houses razed in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu cities fires

FOUR fires that hit the cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu cities in two days destroyed at least P1 million in property.

Seven houses were razed when a fire struck sitio Baka, barangay Apas, Cebu City, before noon yesterday.

Remedios Manapsal, 87, owner of the house where the fire started, sustained burns in the face and arms after she tried to save her belongings.

Chief Insp. William Tacaldo, Cebu City Fire Marshal, said they were still investigating the cause of the fire.

Aside from the seven houses, a Mitsubishi Adventure and a Volkswagen Beetle were also destroyed.

The fire broke out at 11:03 a.m. and was contained in 19 minutes.

Damage was pegged at P350,000.

On Tuesday afternoon, 18 houses were razed while three others were damaged in a fire in barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

The fire started at 3:20 p.m. and was contained around 4 p.m.

SFO1 Atilano Berido said the fire started at the house of SPO1 Joel Dela Peña. Electrical misuse was the cause of fire.

Damage was estimated at P320,000.

In the same day, a fire also broke out in sitio Mabolo 2, barangay Budlaan where two houses were burned down.

SFO1 Noel Opolintisima, Cebu City Fire investigator, said the fire started at the house of Fidel Sanoria, which was made of light materials.

The cause of fire, which damaged P40,000 worth of property, was not immediately known.

A two-story house was also damaged by fire in barangay Tunghaan, Minglanilla, Cebu.

The fire started on the second floor of Judifredo Albarico.

Electrical misuse was the cause of fire which damaged P10,000./CORRESPONDENTS CHITO O. ARAGON. CHRISTINE EMILY L. PANTALEON, FE MARIE D. DUMABOC AND NORMAN V. MENDOZA