CEBU CITY: Christmas Eve fire displaces 5 families; firecracker blasts hurt 2

Local

CEBU City marked a generally peaceful Christmas celebration, though not without incidents.

This followed reports from city officials that two children were injured by firecrackers early on Christmas Day, while a residential fire displaced seven families in Barangay Inayawan on Christmas Eve.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC), disclosed that two firecracker-related injuries were recorded shortly after midnight on Dec. 25.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Tumulak said an 11-year-old boy from Barangay Punta Princesa was injured by a whistle bomb, while a 10-year-old boy from Barangay Pasil sustained injuries after a piccolo exploded.

Both incidents occurred at 12:42 a.m., as residents welcomed Christmas.

“Sa pagsugat nato sa Pasko duna gihapoy nabiktima sa Firecrackers,” Tumulak wrote.

He added, “Kami manghinaot nga wala na untay mabuthan sa pagsugat sa Bag-ong Tuig 2026.”

Despite the injuries, Tumulak noted that Cebu City experienced no major alarms, describing the overall Christmas celebration as generally calm, and credited city responders, barangay personnel, police, and hospitals for their coordinated efforts.

Meanwhile, a residential fire broke out in Sitio Isla Verde, Barangay Inayawan, on the evening of December 24, affecting seven families or 23 individuals, according to initial reports.

Authorities reported that the fire damaged four houses, with three houses totally damaged and one house partially damaged.

Three of the affected families were identified as sharers in the area.

The city's Department of Social Welfare and Services has been conducting an on-site assessment and coordinating the delivery of relief assistance to affected families.

City officials said further validation is ongoing to ensure the timely provision of aid and appropriate interventions.

With the New Year celebrations approaching, the Cebu City Government renewed its call for residents to avoid dangerous firecrackers and to strictly observe fire safety measures, particularly in densely populated communities.(TGP)