Fire destroys 13 houses in Samar; cemetery incidents reported in Leyte

TACLOBAN CITY — A fire that destroyed 13 houses and displaced 19 families in Catbalogan City, Samar along with a smaller cemetery fire in Tanauan and a structurally damaged mausoleum in Jaro, both in Leyte,  were among the incidents reported in Eastern Visayas during the observance of Undas.

In Catbalogan City, a fire hit Barangay Canlapwas at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, destroying 13 houses and damaging another before it was declared out at 1:50 p.m.

An initial Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis conducted by the City Engineering Office and the City Social Welfare and Development Office, in coordination with the barangay government, recorded 19 affected families.

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Of these, 13 were homeowners whose houses were totally destroyed, four were families sharing homes with the owners, one was renting a destroyed house, and one owned the partially damaged house.

Mayor Dexter Uy personally led the distribution of initial relief packs to affected residents, together with social welfare personnel. Families needing temporary shelter were evacuated to the Payao Evacuation Center.

The city government, in coordination with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, mobilized emergency responders and relief teams to assist the displaced families.

Meanwhile, a small fire broke out at the Tanauan Catholic Cemetery in Tanauan, Leyte, on Nov. 1, amid the influx of visitors observing All Saints’ Day.

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Personnel from the Tanauan Fire Station immediately responded and contained the fire. No injuries were reported.

FO2 Crisley Leonido, an investigator at the Tanauan Fire Station, attributed the incident to accumulated candle wax and strong winds.

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Leonido said the buildup of melted candle wax, combined with the strong winds, contributed to the fire.

Fire personnel reminded cemetery visitors to exercise caution when lighting candles, avoid leaving them unattended, and properly dispose of used candles to prevent similar incidents.

In another cemetery-related incident, the Jaro municipal government in Leyte cordoned off a mausoleum at the Jaro Catholic Cemetery after it developed cracks and was in danger of collapsing beside an irrigation canal.

The local government placed caution tape around the structure as an immediate safety measure to prevent visitors from approaching or entering the hazardous area.

Authorities also reminded those visiting the cemetery for All Souls’ Day to stay away from the damaged mausoleum, avoid touching or stepping on it, and refrain from crossing or entering the restricted area.

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The local government urged cemetery visitors to cooperate with safety measures to prevent accidents during the annual observance. /ms