By RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO City – Nine houses were totally gutted and three more were partially damaged by a fire that broke out in Barangay Compania, Molo district around 1:35 p.m. yesterday.
According to the residents, they heard three loud explosions before the fire.
Ten families and several boardinghouse tenants were among those displaced, initial information from the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) showed.
More than 10 fire trucks of the BFP responded, aided by the Federation Iloilo Fire Brigade Incorporated (FEDFIRE) and Iloilo Citizens Action Group Inc. (ICAG).
Authorities declared “fire out” by 2:28 p.m.
Fire victims lamented to Panay News they failed to secure their belongings.
According to barangay kagawad Beth Ambonan, the village’s chapel, gym and daycare center would serve as evacuation centers.
“Nagahinibi pa kun makita naton ang mga apektado kay wala gid sila may nasalbar nga gamit nila. Masubo ini nga Paskwa para sa ila,” Ambonan added.
Punong barangay Reyland Hervias appealed for donations, particularly clothes and food, among other essential goods.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) confirmed that no one was hurt in the fire.
As of this writing, the BFP was still determining the cause of the fire and total cost of property damage.
The CSWDO said it prepared food packs and non-food items for the fire victims.
The city government will also release financial assistance – P10,000 for each family with totally destroyed houses and P7,000 each for families whose houses were partially damaged./PN
