Fire razes 115 houses
KERWIN, BRGY CAPTAIN LOSE HOMES
A massive fire razed at least 115 houses, including the ancestral house of self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, in Barangay Hipodromo, Cebu City yesterday afternoon, leaving the barangay captain and almost 1,000 other residents homeless.
There were no injuries and casualties reported but the Bureau of Fire Protection pegged the structural damage at P2 million.
Initial investigation revealed that the fire allegedly started at the house of urban poor leader Ramie Inopequez and Allan Betache in Sitio Cahipa at around 3:10 p.m.
The blaze immediately spread affecting the neighboring Sitio Bakante, prompting the fire department to raise the alarm to Task Force Alpha, requiring other fire stations in the nearby cities and municipalities to respond.
It took over an hour for the firemen to completely put out the fire that also engulfed two cars and Espinosa’s ancestral house.
Emma Espinosa, sisterin-law of Kerwin's father, the late Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., said four other family members lost their houses.
“Wala na gyud mi'y nasalbar pero pasalamat mi kay walay casualties sa family ug sa among lugar,” she told reporters.
Hipodromo Barangay Captain Ruperto Bacolod also lost his house. Cebu City Department of Social Welfare and Services head Lea Japson said that as of 6:52 p.m. they have already listed 193 families and 861 individuals affected by fire.
The figure is expected to increase because Sitio Cahipa has a population of about 2,000 people. In fact, it is one of the most populated sitios in his barangay.
“Naapil ang among kapilya sa Cahipa. Naay gihaya didto, gi apil pod tawn og bakwit,” he said.
The barangay council immediately declared the two sitios affected under state of calamity.
Bacolod said the barangay will recommend the implementation of reblocking in the area to allow government to establish access road for future emergencies.
“Paspas ra gyud naka spread ang kayo tungod sigkit ang balay. Wala kaayo'y maagian sa mga bombero,” Bacolod said.
Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said the city government will assist the fire victims with the standard P20,000 financial assistance.
Labella, who visited the fire scene, said he will also coordinate with Japson for the distribution of packed meals for affected families within the next three days.
He promised to talk to the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor officials to assist the families in the rebuilding of their houses. It was learned that a portion of the affected area is privately owned.—