1 week ago
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CEBU CITY — Cebu City recorded four fire incidents on Sunday, March 2, displacing hundreds of residents and causing millions of pesos in property damage.
The fires were reported as the country marked the start of Fire Prevention Month on March 1, underscoring the urgency of fire safety awareness.
The most devastating blaze struck Sitio Badjaowan, Barangay Mambaling, at 1:30 a.m., quickly consuming houses made of light materials.
Firefighters took two hours to contain the fire, which destroyed 167 homes and affected 184 families, or 822 individuals. The Cebu City Fire Station (CCFS) estimated property losses at P1.5 million.
The CCFS said a 32-year-old man sustained first-degree burns while escaping his burning home.
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At 1 p.m., another fire broke out in a bunkhouse near a casino and hotel at South Road Properties (SRP).
Firefighters managed to put it out within 30 minutes, but the damage reached P2.8 million.
Minutes later, a grass fire ignited in Barangay Guadalupe, but local responders quickly extinguished the flames.
The fourth fire of the day was reported at 6:53 p.m. in Barangay Basak San Nicolas.
Investigators attributed it to faulty electrical wiring, but firefighters contained it before it could spread further.
Authorities continue to urge the public to stay vigilant as Fire Prevention Month aims to raise awareness and reduce fire-related incidents.
FSupt. Pedro Balatero Jr. of the Bureau of Fire Protection Central Visayas (BFP-7) said that fire safety should be practiced not only in the month of March.
"The challenge before us is not really to prevent fire during this month but still to make a lasting commitment throughout the year," he said.
