1 week ago
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WHILE many were deep in reflection on the suffering of Christ on Good Friday, at least 100 individuals in Sitio Living Water, Barangay Basak Pardo in Cebu City faced a tragedy of their own.
A fire broke out mid-morning and swept through a densely populated residential area, reducing dozens of homes to rubble which left a trail of destruction worth over P1 million.
According to the Cebu City Fire Station, the fire was reported at 9:51 a.m. on April 18, 2025. It quickly spread, prompting the response of multiple firefighting units. The first responding teams arrived five minutes later, at 9:56 a.m.
The blaze was initially placed under first alarm at 9:57 a.m. but was raised to second alarm just four minutes later, at 10:01 a.m., as flames spread rapidly.
Firefighters battled the fire for nearly an hour before declaring it under control at 10:46 a.m. It was finally extinguished at 11:27 a.m.
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An estimated 800 square meters of residential property were affected. The fire destroyed a total of 32 houses, of which 26 were totally burned, while six others sustained partial damage.
Officials said around 30 families were displaced by the fire.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) placed the estimated damage at P1.2 million. Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported.
A total of 22 fire trucks responded to the alarm. These included 12 units from the Bureau of Fire Protection and 10 from barangay-based fire brigades.
Investigators identified Froilan Pacala as the owner and one of the occupants of the structure where the fire reportedly started. The exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
The fire struck at a time when many in the city were observing Good Friday, a solemn day for reflection and prayer in observance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
But for the affected families in Sitio Living Water, this year's observance turned into a personal ordeal marked by loss and uncertainty.
Meanwhile, a separate fire broke out on Holy Wednesday at Esmeralda Compound in Sitio Tintay, Barangay Talamban, Cebu City, destroying four houses and damaging four others.
No one was reported injured. The blaze displaced 10 individuals and caused an estimated P750,000 in damage. Firefighters declared the fire under control by 2:43 p.m. and fully out by 3:10 p.m.
