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Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Fire razes 400-500 houses
Residents in Mambaling, Cebu City were just starting to settle in for the night when fire broke out about 8:45 p.m.
They scrambled to save belongings when the flames became uncontrollable and spread to three sitios—Lawis, Pagatpat and Nava near the South Road Properties.
As of 12:30 a.m., Cebu City Fire Marshal Ismael Codilla estimated that about 300 to 500 homes were razed. The fire also ate up part of the Mambaling Elementary School.
Some residents were reportedly injured in the rush for safety and efforts to salvage possessions.
Firefighters had to struggle with residents who wanted to seize their hoses. Fireman Emilio Ochea was reportedly punched by a resident.
They also had to deal with narrow roads, low water pressure and the wind from the sea.
Some fire trucks even ran out of water.
The blaze was declared a general alarm, sending all fire trucks in Cebu City and those from Mandaue, Talisay and Lapu-Lapu cities and Minglanilla town.
The fire trucks of the Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade and Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation also came to assist.
The families are now housed in the Viking sports complex and Alaska Elementary School, said Cebu City Gerardo Carillo, who went to the area last night.
He told Sun.Star Cebu that the City Government will provide three days’ worth of food items to them. Tents, utensils and other household items will also be given. (CPG/REV of Superbalita)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 2, 2006 issue)
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