CEBU CITY — More than 400 families were displaced by a huge fire in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City on Tuesday noon, March 12.
RAGING flames burn houses on stilts in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City on Tuesday noon, March 12. (Photo from Lapu-Lapu City PIO)
The fire affected two areas, Sitio Bantayan sa Hari and Sitio Under The Bridge, said Looc barangay captain Raul Kevin Cabahug.
Several houses on stilts built under the old Mactan-Cebu bridge were razed.
Cabahug said the area was also hit by fire last year.
Data from the Mandaue Public Information Office showed that as of 5 p.m., a total of 444 families or 1,537 individuals were affected by the fire.
The fire started at 12:12 p.m. It was raised to third alarm at 12:22 p.m. and was declared under control at 12:42 p.m. Fire out was declared at 2:16 p.m.
The fire spread quickly as most of the houses were built close to each other.
The bridge was also temporarily closed to traffic as the thick smoke caused zero visibility in the area.
Aside from personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, private tugboats and the Philippine Coast Guard also helped put out the fire.
Rubber boats were also used to rescue some residents from their burning houses.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.