A FIRE destroyed 20 houses and damaged three others which displaced 62 families in the neighboring villages of Calubihan and Taytay Zone 2 in Jaro district, Iloilo City on Saturday.

Initial estimate of losses put at P2 million, said Chief Inspector Christopher Regencia, Iloilo City fire marshal. No one died or got hurt in the blaze.

There were eight victims attended to by the emergency medical services due to difficulty of breathing, he said.

He said they received the call about 9:39 a.m. and placed the fire under control at 11:03 a.m.

Fire-out was declared at 1:46 p.m., Regencia said.

He said that fire trucks from all units in this city responded to the alarm. Team of firefighters from the nearby towns of Oton, Zarraga, Pavia and Sta. Barbara also came to help.

Investigation and clearing of the area is still ongoing to determine the cause of the fire and where it started.

Meantime, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) said they are attending to the needs of the victims.

Based on the initial report of Gene Garingalao, officer-in-charge of the CSWDO, the victims were evacuated to Jaro National High School but will be transferred to Jaro 1 Elementary School.

Food assistance were distributed among the victims, Garingalao said. (PNA)