Fire mars Friday night in Cebu

Saturday, February 4, 2012

CEBU CITY (Updated) -- At least 28 houses were gutted while three others were damaged Friday night in Sitio Sto. Nino, Barangay Apas, Cebu City.

Fire officials received the alarm at 9:12 p.m. and declared the fire under control after 20 minutes, although narrow and pitch-dark alleys tested them.

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Firefighters had to smash a barrier in the Asiatown IT Park to reach the fire site, said Aderson Comar, Cebu City fire marshal.

Convenience store owner Flor Fuentes suffered second-degree burns in her shoulder and both arms as flames, fanned by strong winds, quickly spread throughout the neighborhood.

Most of the houses were made of wood. Numerous call center agents and construction workers who leased rooms and apartments in the area were not spared. Residents scampered for safety, clutching what valuables they were able to recover.

The fire also caused a traffic jam on Salinas Drive and Banilad Road, where traffic on ordinary Fridays is heavier than usual because of crowds heading for IT Park and nearby party destinations.

Joselyn Gabor, 34, who was about to deliver her baby, was grateful for her safety. She was only six houses away from where the fire reportedly started.

Apas barangay councilor Allan Majait said they will hold an emergency meeting Saturday to declare a state of calamity in the area.

“Para atong madali ang pagtabang sa mga na-apektado (This will enable us to help the fire victims faster,” he said.

They will also ask the administrator of the IT park to let them set up tents inside the eco-zone, since the barangay gym is too far.

City Hall’s social welfare services office was preparing aid for the victims Friday night. (Sun.Star Cebu)