CEBU CITY – Close to 200 houses were razed while over 800 individuals were left homeless in one of the worst fires in Mandaue City on Sunday night, March 23.
A FIRE hits Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City on Sunday night, March 23. (Mandaue DRRMO)
The massive fire broke out in a densely populated area in Sitio Talong, Barangay Paknaan.
The fire started at 7:35 p.m.
As most of the houses in the area were made of light materials, the fire spread quickly, prompting fire authorities to raise a higher alert.
A fourth alarm was raised at 8:04 p.m. After more than two hours, the fire was placed under control. Fire out was declared at 10:37 p.m.
While no fatalities were recorded in the fire, a motorcycle driver died after he was hit by a responding fire truck.
The driver was cruising on a highway in Barangay Cambaro, Mandaue when he was hit.
One-hundred seventy-seven houses were destroyed while another one was damaged. The fire displaced 244 families composed of 805 individuals.
Damage to property was pegged at P3 million. Cause of the fire is still being investigated.