A devastating fire ripped through the North Reclamation Area in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City on Saturday night, leaving around 20 houses in ashes. The blaze, which started around 9 p.m. and reached a fourth alarm, was finally brought under control around 11 p.m.
According to Senior Fire Officer 2 Wendell Villanueva of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Cebu City, the fire originated at an oil depot storing petroleum products. The presence of high levels of ammonia complicated firefighting efforts, requiring the use of specialized equipment. The fire also consumed several oil tankers and barrels of diesel fuel found on the site.
The intensity of the fire prompted the evacuation of guests from a nearby hotel as a precaution. Residents from the affected area were also relocated to safer locations for the night. While initial reports estimate 20 houses were completely destroyed, the exact number of affected families is still being determined. The BFP has estimated the damage at P3.857 million.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the BFP. Adding to the challenges, the BFP is maintaining a heightened alert status in anticipation of the Sinulog Festival on January 19th. Some personnel will be deployed to secure the parade route and prevent any fire-related incidents during the festivities.
