Thursday, August 03, 2006 (Philippines)

After the fire, victims scour site for what can still be used from the ruins. Father and child (right) see little hope. Displaced residents of Lawis and Tangke II in Mambaling, Cebu City will be given help by the Cebu City Government.(Sun.star photo/Allan Defensor) A lighted candle used in a shabu session or gas lamps quarrelling drug users threw at each other may have caused the fire in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City that left about 500 families homeless. The fire that swept through Sitios Tangke II and Lawis last Tuesday night wiped out P1.8 million worth of property, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said. Initial investigation by the BFP showed that the fire started at the house of one Macky Brown but occupied by Amay Orongan. [full story]