Fire in January, 2012 at Labo, Ozamiz City

 I was awakened by a shrill shout “Sunog” meaning “Fire” so I immediately went out of the room and there I met my husband in the sala. He likewise just came out of his room to see what was happening outside.  I went upstairs and saw that it was so bright in the neighborhood.  I went downstairs and told my husband that there was a fire.  We went outside and discovered that my counsin Dayling’s house is blazing.  I made phone calls to my friends in the city but I failed.  I was not able to contact any of them.  However, my sister Cleofe called and asked me about the fire.  He asked if my brother-in-law and his daughter were already awake of which I told her that they were because the lights in their house were already turned on.

I was gobsmacked.  I didn’t know what to do.  Although, the fire was still on the other side of road of the fourth house counting from our house.  I packed my laptop and notebook.  Then I went outside to see what was going on.  I observed the fire and I thought it was still far from our house.  Neighbors were busy fetching water to pour on the burning house and the adjacent  little hut.  I saw George Fernandez and several people carrying a pail.  Rodelyn Samonte, a kagawad also helped considering that her house is just across the road from the burning house.  My husband also went there bringing a pail to help.

Then after half an hour, more or less, two (2) firetrucks and the rescue van arrived.  I guess after estimating the frequency of the fire one of the firetrucks went back leaving the other truck to do the job.  Then after half an hour the firemen’s job was over.  Then people around went back to their house and the neighbor became silent.

It can be remembered that less than a month ago, on December 17, 2011 a fire broke out about 500 meters, more or less, from here.  Last year, there were two (2) fires that broke out.  One was in February and another in December.  What must have the cause of these fires? It will remain to be seen as it seems that no investigation was done in the previous fires and I guess for this fire now, there will still be no investigation to be conducted.  Or  I just miss the news about the investigation.