The Philippine Online Chronicles

At least 1,000 people lost their homes after a late afternoon fire hit the thickly populated Barangay Tejero in Cebu City yesterday.

The fire which started at the house of a certain Melchor dela Cruz on Villagonzalo Street, spread to two other sitios, Kanunay Panabang and Blessed Sacrement, and lasted for two hours.

Witnesses said they heard an explosion from the Dela Cruz house. Resident Pilar Rufina said she heard Melchor dela Cruz’s wife was cooking fried fish when the pan slid and spilled cooking oil unto the gas tank hose, which supposedly resulted in the explosion.

Tejero barangay councilor Garry Lao said around 100 houses got burned down. The firs also ravaged houses near the Blessed Sacrament Church.

Residents complained of the city’s fire-fighting personnel with some quarreling over the possession of fire hoses. The firs team was also said to have ran short of water supply. Meanwhile civilian volunteers swam across the river to bring the hoses closer.

The displaced residents are currently staying at the barangay sports center. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) and the City Risk Reduction Management Council to help the victims, especially for food assistance.

Barangay chief Jessielou Cadungog said the barangay will declare a state of calamity to speed up release of funds to help victims.