CEBU (Updated) -- Around 90 houses were affected when a fire hit Sitio Silangan 2 in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City around 4:50 p.m. Friday, April 26.

Cebu City Fire Marshal Noel Ababon said they are still investigating what caused the late afternoon blaze. The cost of damage was pegged at P1 million.

Ababon said based on their initial investigation, the fire started at the house of Preciano Karomayan that is being rented by Joie Bantugan.

They received the fire alarm around 4:50 p.m. and declared the blaze under Task Force Alpha at 5:11 p.m.

Task Force Alpha means that all neighboring fire units in Metro Cebu shall assist the local fire department in putting out the fire.

Some residents said Bantugan's five-year-old son was reportedly playing with matches inside his house, causing the fire.

But Ababon said they will still need to investigate that allegation.

In a separate interview, Batulan denied the allegation.

"Dili oy kay naa rana sila sa gawas. Natingala nalang mi nga mi kayo na among balay," Batulan added.

The affected residents have been evacuated to the Barangay Tejero gym. (AYB/ GPL)