1 month ago
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CEBU CITY — A 75-year-old man died in an early morning fire that engulfed a house in Doña Esperanza Village, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, on Tuesday.
The Cebu City Fire Station reported that the blaze broke out at around 6:48 a.m., consuming a 30-square-meter home owned by Ronald Dagatan.
Firefighters arrived on the scene at 6:53 a.m. and immediately raised a first alarm, mobilizing both government and volunteer fire brigades to contain the flames.
Fire suppression efforts lasted for over 30 minutes. By 7:22 a.m., firefighters declared the fire under control, and it was completely extinguished at 7:32 a.m. Despite their quick response, one life was lost in the tragedy.
Authorities identified the victim as Francisco Labra, a resident of the house, who was reportedly ill and alone when the fire broke out. Due to his condition, he was unable to escape in time. Firefighters later found his remains inside a room on the first floor, burned beyond recognition.
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No other injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage, with losses estimated at around P450,000. The house was destroyed, leaving its occupants displaced.
A total of 18 fire trucks responded to the incident — eight from the Bureau of Fire Protection and 10 from volunteer firefighting units. FSUPT Reynaldo Enoc led the firefighting operations, while FO3 Fulbert Navarro was tasked with investigating the fire's cause.
As of now, authorities have yet to determine what triggered the blaze. Investigators are looking into possible causes, including electrical issues, unattended appliances or other fire hazards.
The incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety in residential areas, particularly in houses with elderly or bedridden individuals.
Officials are reminding residents to ensure their homes are equipped with functional smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, and to have an emergency escape plan in place.
