Friday, July 27, 2007
3T homeless, about P2.85M in damages
AN unattended cooking caused the fire in Tipolo, Mandaue City last Wednesday, which brought an estimated damage to properties worth P2.85 million.
The blaze, which lasted three hours and five minutes, also left 591 families homeless.
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Fire investigator SFO1 Roy Garcia, in his report, said the unattended cooking of a certain Liling Cotejal started the fire.
Action officer
Mayor Jonas Cortes designated Briccio Boholst, acting city administrator, as disaster action officer. He urged all those who wish to donate in cash or kind to course everything through the City Hall.
Cortes will tap the help of Gawad Kalinga and Habitat Foundation in rebuilding the razed community, part of which falls within the 9.2-hectare area given by the Mandaue City Government to the poor.
The mayor assured house and lot and an access road for the affected community.
The narrow access road was the problem the firemen encountered in putting fires in the area, one of which happened in December 2001.
As for the fire victims who lived in private lots, Cortes said he will negotiate with the lot owners.
Marlon Atuel, information officer of the Mandaue City Social Welfare Office, said there are 591 families or 2,957 individuals who were victims of the fire.
Of the 591 families, 405 are house-owners and 186 are sharers or renters.
There are tents, which now serve as temporary shelter for them while a community kitchen was also provided.
The welfare office distributed a total of 480 mats and 510 blankets to victims in the area right after the blaze.
The fire started inside the house of Marta Cartaginas, read the investigation report.
Cartaginas, Gomar Somoog, Patricio Diaz and Harisson Cartaginas confirmed that Cotejal’s unattended cooking caused the fire.
They will invite Cotejal to give her side of the story. (OCP)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 27, 2007 issue)
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