THE fire that hit at least 15 houses in Barangay Labangon on Thursday, February 16, 2023, was caused by an unattended lamp, said a fire official on Friday, February 17.
Police Officer III Fulbert Navarro, investigator of the Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO), said this is the result of their investigation on the incident, which happened around 4 p.m. Thursday.
The CCFO conducted an inspection at the affected area Friday morning, February 17.
Navarro said earlier that on Thursday, they received reports about possible causes of the blaze. These include reports that somebody was having a pot session, two juveniles were arguing, and a resident was cooking.
Navarro said the fire destroyed 13 houses and damaged two others.
The blaze left P1.2 million damage to property.
Barangay Labangon Captain Victor Buendia told Superbalita Cebu Friday that at least 81 people or 33 families have been displaced by the fire.
The displaced residents have been housed at Labangon Bliss Elementary School. (BBT/Mary Francis Lynn Caayon, STC intern)