FIRE victims in 12th-8th Street, Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City have wanted to rebuild their homes in the same area after their houses were gutted down by a fire on Monday, October 21.
The City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) said 47 houses were damaged while 47 families were left homeless.
Of the 47 houses, 43 were destroyed while four were damaged. No casualties were reported.
Fire officials said the damage reached P1.2 million.
City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said the fire victims are temporarily evacuated to the Barangay Nazareth covered court.
The city and barangay officials already provided assistance, which includes food and toiletries for the victims.
Fire Inspector Sam Lawrence Velarde of the City Fire Department said the fire quickly spread because the houses were made of light materials.
Velarde said the fire started at a house whose owner reportedly left while rice is being cooked.
Nazareth village chair Maximo Rodriguez III meanwhile said the fire victims were living in a privately-owned property for 20 years.
Rodriguez said the victims want to rebuild their homes in the same area, but he said he wrote to the City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD) to check if there are still available resettlement areas for the fire victims.
“Magsabot pami sa owner kay 2 months ago, nianhi siya and talked to us and expressed their intention nga ipa rent to own nalang ang area, so isa ni sa among i-consider as we plan where to place them,” he said.