Photo Courtesy of Mayor Chan
Text and video by Junex Doronio
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — In just two successive days, four were reported killed and 20,000 individuals were rendered homeless in two separate fire incidents that hit this city.
Firefighters told Maharlika NuMedia that an estimated 20,000 individuals were affected by the fire that gutted around 600 houses of light materials in Sitio Sta. Maria, Barangay Pusok on Tuesday afternoon (December 12, 2023), right behind the Island Central Mall (with video).
The urban poor community went ablaze for more than two hours and was declared under control around 3:45 p.m.
No fatality was reported, unlike the fire that hit Barangay Babag II on Monday afternoon, December 11.
Killed in a fire that burned down a firecracker factory following an explosion in Purok Judas Belt, Barangay Babag II, were identified as Chito Berdin, the owner of Chito’s Fireworks; his daughter Gwendolyn Berdin Lucero, 31; and their production workers Kristian Monsanto, 34, and Argie Escobia, 30.
Eight-year-old John Raniel Berdin, Justin Yonas, 24, and Jeff Resonable, 20, suffered third-degree burns.
Others injured were Maria Johanna Berdin and two others who have not been named yet.
They have all been brought to the hospital for immediate medical attention.
(ai/mnm)