A FIRE destroyed nearly 400 houses, large portion of the Sasa Public Market and some business establishments in Purok 1, Muslim Village, Kilometer 11, Barangay Sasa, Davao City on Friday.
In an interview with Davao City Fire and Arson Investigator Ramil E. Gillado, he said the fire began at 10:47 a.m. but the general alarm was set at 12:30 p.m., which indicates that all the fire trucks from different fire station had to help and send their available fire trucks to combat the ongoing fire.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and damages of the fire is estimated to be at P3 million.
He added that firefighters put the fire under control at 2:07 p.m. with 350 houses razed and declared fire out at 3:15 p.m.
Residents were seen at the side of the streets with the things they have salvaged from the fire while some were sitting hopelessly at the corner because their houses were all burned down.
Some vendors of the market were also able to salvage their merchandize like fruits, meat, and clothes, among others.
Some of the residents also assisted the firefighters. The Philippine Navy also provided support with their vessel.
A house owner, who requested his name to be withheld, said he left their home early morning Friday to process a document in Pag-ibig but when he was on his way home, he saw thick black smoke. He asked someone where the fire incident was. To his dismay, he learned that it was near his home.
His house was already burned down by the fire and he was not able to save anything else but a white t-shirt. Nobody was at their home at that time because his nephew was at school while his mother and sister were in General Santos City to attend his uncle’s burial.
He didn’t tell his mother yet what had happened because his mother is still recovering from the loss of her brother. He said that he does not know yet how to deliver the news to his mother.
It was the second time that their house was engulfed by a fire. In 2013, the public market including nearby establishments and houses were also hit by the fire.
Authorities are still investigating the incident as well as the damaged incurred. No casualties were recorded aside from a person who collapsed.