An early morning fire burned down 15 houses on Maundy Thursday, while a 17-year-old boy drowned on Good Friday, in two incidents that marred the otherwise peaceful observance of Holy Week in Cebu province.

Cebu City fire marshall Ishmael Codilla said the fire in Barangay Carreta started in one of the rooms in the house of a certain Lydia Patronilla.

She had left earlier for vacation in Masbate.

Meanwhile, Moalboal town policemen reported that Wilson Diabelos drowned early morning of Good Friday while swimming with friends.

Moalboal town, 90 kms south of Cebu City, is known for its white sand beaches and high-end resorts.

Apart from the two incidents and a number of petty crimes in the towns, Chief Supt. Silverio Alarcio Jr., police regional director, said the Holy Week was peaceful in Cebu and the surrounding islands.

“It is usually peaceful during Holy Week because everybody is either resting or joining religious activities," he said.