Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Fire razes almost 300 houses
By Ruby P. Silubrico, Ruby Supranes and Melanie Maderable
ALMOST 300 houses were razed by fire Monday at Zone 3, Baluarte, Molo. This is so far was the biggest fire incident this year.
The fire started at around 4 p.m., reportedly from the house of Victoria Bustamante. Her four children were reportedly lefty themselves.
Joyce Ann Delgado, a neighbor of Bustamante, said prior to the incident, she saw one of the four children holding a match. She said the child lit up some papers and a piece of wood, which later started the fire. The fire got bigger when it reached the curtain. Added to that, their house was made of light materials.
Delgado added that their parents were not around during the incident but the children were able to run away.
Inspector Nilo Pasifico, investigator of the Bureau of Fire Protection immediately raised the fire to its third level. This prompted even the municipal fire stations to respond. There were fire trucks from Tigbauan, Cabatuan, Pavia, Cabatuan and Sta. Barbara.
Volunteer brigades also responded. They were the JB Lucky, Icag and Federation Fire. Some volunteer groups were also there. They were the Urban Tigers, Mountain Tigers, Royal Eagles, WVCST Fire Groups and PCGA.
As of press time, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BOF) Iloilo could not provide an estimate of the total damage caused by the incident.
The fire department said it took them long before the fire was put out because the area was heavily populated. The area was also far from the main road and firefighters had a hard time reaching the site.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas vowed to allocate some amount to help the victims. He also directed the Iloilo City Police Office to secure the place.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD6) immediately gave food assistance. Given to the victims were sacks of rice and sardines.
The Baluarte Elementary School and Baluarte gym serve as the evacuation centers.
Injuries
The Crisis Disaster Management Team reported three injured persons. They were Victor Gaspar, second degree burn on his back and left and right arms; Gina Ramos, lacerated wound on her left ankle; and Ramos's husband, lacerated wound on his left hand.
Another fire
Meanwhile, another fire took place in Barangay Pala Pala 1, City Proper last night. With the Bayanihan system, the residents were able to stop the fire, thus, it affected only some parts of the house of Susan Hilay.
(April 11, 2006 issue)
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