Three fires hit Cebu, Lapu-Lapu cities

CEBU CITY — Three fires struck the cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu on All Saints’ Day, 1 November, leaving extensive property damage, displacing families and claiming one life.

The first fire destroyed a three-story house owned by businessman Clark Gothong along Wilson Street in Barangay Lahug. Ten people were inside the house when the incident occurred.

The Cebu City Fire Station received the fire report at 5:08 p.m. and declared the blaze under control at 5:48 p.m.

The destroyed property had a total floor area of 608 square meters, with fire investigators estimating the damage at P48.6 million.

The second fire broke out shortly after 6 p.m. in Sitio Lawis, Barangay Mambaling, destroying 63 houses and partially damaging seven others.

The incident affected 128 families, or 53 individuals, according to the report.

The first alarm was raised at 6:18 p.m., followed by the second alarm at 6:21 p.m. and the third alarm at 6:41 p.m. Firefighters declared the blaze extinguished at 7:35 p.m.

The fire affected an estimated 1,000-square-meter area, with property damage placed at P1.5 million.

The third fire occurred in Purok Rosal, Barangay Looc, Lapu-Lapu City, where two houses were destroyed.

The incident claimed the life of a 38-year-old man and left two other people injured.

Investigators initially attributed the fire to candles that had been left burning.

The three incidents marred the observance of All Saints’ Day in the two cities, highlighting the risks posed by residential fires during the holiday period.