An early morning fire ripped through Sitio Riverside in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City on Friday, leaving more than 400 residents homeless and one person injured.
The fire broke out at around 5:22 a.m. and spread rapidly through the densely packed community, where many homes were built from light and highly combustible materials like plywood and corrugated sheets.
Firefighters arrived within about seven minutes and raised the alarm to second, then third level, but their efforts were slowed by narrow alleys and illegal electrical connections that made it difficult to reach the flames.
The lone injured resident was identified as 45-year-old homeowner Jonathan Duterte, who suffered burns on his left arm while trying to save belongings from his house. He was given first aid at the scene and later taken to a nearby hospital. No deaths were reported.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the blaze affected an estimated 2,400-square-meter area and damaged around 80 to 90 homes, many of them totally destroyed. About 90 families — roughly 300 to 400 people — were forced to flee, grabbing only what they could as the fire jumped quickly from one house to the next.
Initial damage was placed at around P3.6 million, covering homes, appliances, and personal items lost in the fire. The blaze was declared under control at around 6:30 a.m. and fully extinguished by 7:09 a.m.
Fire investigators are still working to determine the cause, with electrical faults or an unattended open flame among the possibilities being looked into.
Residents said they were jolted awake by the smell of smoke and frantic shouts from neighbors, giving them just minutes to gather children and elderly family members before escaping.
Many were unable to save important documents, school supplies, and work uniforms, adding to the anxiety over how they will start over.
Barangay Tejero officials, together with the Cebu City government, opened an evacuation center at the barangay gym, where displaced families are receiving hot meals, sleeping mats, hygiene kits, and initial cash aid.