CEBU CITY – Twenty-three houses were razed in a fire in Barangay Tejero here on Thursday afternoon, September 28.

It was the third fire that hit Barangay Tejero this month. The last was September 10 when two fires broke out just hours apart and at least 30 houses were affected.

Eighteen houses were destroyed while five others were partially destroyed in the Thursday afternoon fire.

Damage to property was pegged at P1.8 million, the Cebu City Fire Department said.

The fire started at around 1:40 p.m. in the house of one Hasel Araneta.

Fire out was declared at 2:09 p.m. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Interviewed by reporters, barangay councilor Henry Lawas said the barangay council will hold an emergency session for the release of calamity funds that will be used to assist the fire victims.

Lawas said at least 35 families were displaced by the fire.

The barangay has coordinated with the City Social Welfare Services Office for assistance to displaced families, said Lawas.

Fire victims took temporary shelter at the barangay gymnasium.