AT least 17 families living under the Mananga Bridge in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City lost their homes after a fire struck them on Wednesday morning.
FO1 Jennifer Cuartel of the Talisay City Fire Department said the fire began in Sitio Mananga 1 at 9:45 a.m.
Cuartel said that after receiving the alarm, firefighters led by SFO1 Rodolfo Luage rushed to the area and tried to put out the flames.
The fire was declared a second alarm, which summoned firefighters from nearby towns and cities to respond. Firefighters eventually put it out at 10:30 a.m.
Around 20 houses were destroyed; most of the houses had been made of light materials. Cuartel pegged the damage to property at P180,000.
Cuartel said that based on their investigation, the fire started in the house of Christian Macaraya, who had reportedly left his cell phone unattended while it was being charged.
After the fire, the Talisay City Social Welfare Office started listing the affected families for the immediate provision of aid. (JKV)