16 HOUSES DOWN IN FIRE
Damage to properties was pegged at P160T after fire broke out in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City Barangay to transfer victims to the school gym since public school classrooms are now being used as classes have started
Just as the classes in public school resumed, 16 houses in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City were hit by fire yesterday morning.
The Mandaue City Fire Station (MCFS) received the alarm at 10:14 a.m. in Sitio Monggos.
SFO3 Arnold Lao of MCFS said 14 houses were destroyed while two were damaged.
These structures were located on the riverbank of Butuanon River and made of light materials.
The fire reportedly started in the house of one Margarita Rodado.
“Sigon niya, diha gyud kuno sa iyang bongbong. Nakita niya ang
kayo (According to Rodado, she saw the flames on the ceiling),” said Lao.
A neighbor also reported that the flames started on the third floor of Rodado’s house.
Lao explained that Rodado had the rooms on the third floor rented.
At that time, no one was in the said floor as the renters were reporting for work.
Based on the data they gathered, MCFS believed that electrical short circuit was the cause of fire.
The fire was placed under control at 10:48 a.m. and put out at 11:10 a.m.
Damage to properties was pegged at P160,000.
Lao said they had no problem with the road going to the fire site, but the wind was strong, making it difficult for them to stop the flames from spreading to other structures.
The fire incident was placed on 2nd alarm. There was no casualty or injured person when the fire hit the sitio.
Since schools are now being used by the students, Atty. Mae Elaine Bathan, chief of staff of the city mayor, said the barangay gym is ready as an evacuation site for the fire survivors.
Bathan said the City Social Welfare and Services personnel had provided assistance to the affected families. /