CEBU CITY – At least 700 families were rendered homeless in a huge fire that hit a densely populated area in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City on Tuesday night, Nov. 22.
Some 250 houses were destroyed by the fire that started at 11:45 p.m.
The fire spread quickly as most houses were made of light materials. The fire reached fourth alarm at 12:01 a.m. before it was put out at 2:38 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23.
According to Fire Officer 1 Cyrus Albert Ytang, desk officer of the Mandaue City Fire Department, the fire started at the house of Renaldo Devilleres, who sustained second degree burns during the incident.
Damage to property from the fire was pegged at P1.2 million, said Ytang. The cause of fire is still being investigated.
In a statement, Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes said initial assistance has been given to fire victims who were evacuated to the Mandaue City Central School.
Cortes said modular tents have been put up inside the school while the city’s mobile kitchen was deployed to distribute meals to the fire victims.
“We have also started giving food packs and disaster kits to the fire victims. Profiling and validation are continuing so we can get the exact number of individuals who were affected by the fire,” Cortes said.