At least 13 families were displaced after a late-night fire damaged seven houses along Jumalon Street in Barangay Basak Pardo, Cebu City, last Friday, July 24.
Initial reports from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) showed that three houses were destroyed, while two sustained partial damage. The two other affected structures were owned by absentee owners.
Authorities said the fire affected seven households, displacing 13 families composed of 45 individuals. Among those affected were six sharer families, while the remaining affected structures belonged to absentee owners.
The Cebu City Fire Station said it received the alarm at 10:25 P.M. Firefighters arrived at the scene five minutes later and immediately raised the first alarm. The blaze was declared under control at 11:15 P.M. before it was finally declared fire out at 11:45 P.M.
As of Saturday, July 25, the displaced families were temporarily sheltered at the Basak Pardo Barangay Hall while local authorities continued providing assistance.
Following the incident, the DSWS conducted intake interviews, validation, and damage assessment to determine the immediate needs of the affected families.
The Cebu City Government also started distributing hot meals, which are expected to cover the families’ food requirements for the first three days of their displacement.
Based on its initial assessment, the DSWS recommended the distribution of relief goods and financial assistance. It proposed ?20,000 each for owners of totally and partially damaged houses, ?10,000 for every sharer family, and ?5,000 for each absentee owner whose property was affected by the fire.
The agency likewise recommended the provision of housing materials to help affected homeowners rebuild or repair their damaged houses.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection has yet to determine the cause of the fire. Authorities are still investigating where the blaze started, the circumstances surrounding the incident, and the total amount of property damage.
No injuries or fatalities were reported, based on the initial assessment released by the Cebu City Government and the Cebu City Fire Station.