BORACAY – Properties worth around P22.5 million went up in smoke after fire hit Barangay Balabag in this famed island resort.
The blaze destroyed around 60 structures, which included houses, restaurants, beauty parlors, fruit stands, and boardinghouses, among others, according to Malay, Aklan’s Fire Marshall Senior Fire Inspector Lorna Parcellano.
The fire started razing the structures around 1:40 p.m. on March 29. Firefighters were able to put it under control at 3:10 p.m. A “fire out” was declared 10 minutes later.
Parcellano said firefighters found a hard time putting out the blaze due to strong winds.
The structures were made of light materials, which also allowed the fast spread of fire.
“Nahirapan tayong maapula ang apoy dahil sa lakas ng hangin,” Parcellano told this reporter over the phone.
Fire trucks of the Boracay Fire Substation and Boracay Action Group – Boracay Fire Rescue and Ambulance Volunteers and personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Malay police station helped in putting out the blaze.
“Posibleng faulty electrical connection ang sanhi ng sunog. Wala naman tayong bombero na nasugatan maliban sa dalawang residente,” said Parcellano.
The two residents – who sustained minor burns on the face – were among more than 200 individuals who were displaced by the fire.
Parcellano said the blaze originated from Abemel Gelito’s house.
“They own a welding shop there,” she added.
Investigation was still ongoing as of Saturday.
The municipal government and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, meanwhile, assured to help the fire victims. (With Akean Forum/PN)
