THE sun was about to set and residents on Gervacio Quijada Street in Sitio Sambag 4, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, were getting ready for another night when fire suddenly broke out Thursday afternoon, January 19, 2023.
They panicked and scampered for safety with whatever possessions they could carry as flames raged through the houses mostly made up of light materials.
Thirty were razed, while 10 others were damaged.
Damage estimates were placed around P3 million.
FO2 Fulbert Navarro of the Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO) said the fire started in the house owned by Juanito Caballes and occupied by Fhebric Caballes and others.
Firefighters received the alarm at 5:02 p.m. and raised it to second alarm eight minutes later. The blaze was placed under control at 5:41, while fire out was declared at 5:59 p.m.
The CCFO continues to investigate the cause.
Navarro said they had a hard time penetrating the scene because the road was very narrow and their fire trucks could not enter.
To douse the flames, he said they had to link the hoses so these could reach the affected area.
Charmine Garcia, 27, lived right next to the house where the fire began.
She said she and her two children were able to flee with nothing but the clothes on their back and some documents that she was able to grab.
The fire ended up affecting 180 individuals or 60 families. (BBT/PJB)