IN A distressing turn of events on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2023, two separate fire incidents hit Barangay Tejero in Cebu City, leaving a total of 351 individuals homeless.
The Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO) estimated the total property damage at P6.6 million; fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported as a result of the fires.
CCFO is currently working on filing an arson case against a man suspected to be the cause of the second fire in the barangay. This decision came after the suspected arsonist admitted and sought forgiveness for causing the incident.
The first fire erupted in Sitio Back Blessed shortly after noon on Sunday.
Firefighters received the initial alarm at around 1:42 p.m., with a second alarm raised at 1:54 p.m. The fire was declared under control by 2:09 p.m. and fully extinguished by 2:15 p.m.
Six hours later in the evening, another blaze erupted, this time in Sitio Laurente.
Firefighters were able to put out the second fire at around 8:44 p.m., or about 30 minutes after they received the alarm.
Sitio Laurente, located close to Carreta Elementary School, is only a few blocks away from the scene of the afternoon fire in Sitio Back Blessed.
Property damage
Firefighters and emergency responders promptly arrived at the scene to battle the flames, but the extent of the damage was substantial.
Based on the records from the CCFO, the two fire incidents destroyed a total of P6.6 million worth of properties.
The afternoon fire in Sitio Back Blessed resulted in property damage of P2.4 million. It affected 27 houses that were homes to 48 families comprising 188 individuals.
Meanwhile, the fire in Sitio Laurente burned properties worth P4.2 million. At least 17 houses were destroyed by the fire, affecting 163 individuals from 41 families.
Assistance
Barangay Tejero Captain Hermogenes “Boyek” Galang informed SunStar Cebu on Monday, Sept. 11, that the affected residents will be under continuous monitoring and will receive assistance until they can rebuild their homes.
Galang mentioned that the City’s Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) will provide the victims with meals sufficient for three days, and beyond that, the barangay will allocate resources to cater to their needs.
He noted that support will also be coming from the private sector.
Affected residents will also be getting 10 sheets of galvanized iron and 10 pieces of plywood, while owners of razed houses will also receive P20,000 from the City Government.
Evacuation
The village chief revealed that some of the victims are currently housed at the barangay complex, while others chose to return to the fire scene and made makeshift shelters.
He said a reblocking will be implemented in the area where the first fire occurred in Sitio Back Blessed since the lot is owned by the City.
Meanwhile, the area affected by the fire in Sitio Laurente will not be reblocked since it is among the 93-1 lots owned by the Capitol.
Suspect
Meanwhile, a man suspected of causing the fire that occurred in Sitio Laurente may face charges.
Fire authorities said the fire in Sitio Laurente, which destroyed 20 houses and affected 100 individuals, started at the house of a certain Leonil Rivera, a resident of the same sitio.
Rivera, in an interview on Monday, said he believed that the fire was caused by a mosquito coil he used and left inside his room, on the second floor of his house.
He said that when he returned to his room, he saw the smoke and fire, which eventually spread out.
“Di g’yud to nako gusto mahitabo,” said Rivera. (I didn’t want that to happen.)
In an interview on the day of the incident, Rivera admitted to using illegal substances before the fire occurred. He, however, later denied it.
Senior Fire Officer Wendell Villanueva from the Chief Public Information Unit of the Cebu City Fire Office said there are no other angles on the cause of the fire at Sitio Laurente aside from it being a deliberate act because there were witnesses who were there to try to stop Rivera.
Rivera, currently in custody at the Waterfront Police Station, has appealed for forgiveness from the public, hoping to secure his release.
“Gaba ray iya,” (He will have his comeuppance) said Camille Pakiding, 23, a resident and pregnant mother, with three children, who recovered only a few items from the fire.