ILOILO City – Seven houses were totally gutted and eight others were damaged by fire in Zone 6, Barangay Santo Niño Norte, Arevalo district on Saturday.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the totally burned houses belonged to Vicente Flores Sr., Marilou Castillo, Randy Fermindoza, Marivic Abacajin, Regina Reyes, Harry Catalan, and Emelyn Lanto.
Meanwhile, the houses of Ruben Abawuita, Virgilio Abaquita Sr., Penne Lain Escobel, Rona Villanoy, Rafael Flores, Elena Alcala, Ninfa Hondrade, and Ma, Riza Garino were partially damaged.
The fire started at around 5:40 p.m., the BFP said.
The cause and origin of the fire were yet to be established, although fire inspectors suspected a short circuit.
The fire quickly spread because the houses were made of light materials, the BFP added.
Three residents sought medical attention after trying to save their belongings and help extinguish the fire. Amalyn Lanto, 50, sustained second-degree burns to the body. Vanessa Dayl Abakita, 17, experienced difficulty breathing and headache; and Marilou Flores, 35, complained of high blood pressure. They were treated by the Iloilo City Emergency Response Team.
Property damage reached approximately P332,220, the BFP said.
It once again reminded the public to always check their electricity wires and avoid illegal electrical connections or “jumpers”./PN
