55-year-old woman killed in Iloilo City fire
ILOILO CITY—A 55-year-old woman died in a fire which burned close to 40 houses in Zone 1-B in Barangay (village) San Juan in Molo District in Iloilo City shortly before noontime on Monday.
The charred body of Lanie Sabala, whom neighbors described to be a mentally challenged woman, was found inside their burned house after the fire was put out around 1 p.m.
“We are still investigating the incident. But initially, arson investigators traced the house of a certain Dakdak Sigurifa as the origin of fire,” said Senior Fire Officer 1 Erwin Gemotea.
Chief investigator Gemotea said they are yet to determine the extent of damage caused by the fire which displaced a still undetermined number of families.
The fire reported at 11:30 a.m. affected a slum area in Molo District where structures were mostly built from light materials.
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog told the affected families to take temporary shelter at the San Juan Elementary School while the city government prepare packed meals and relief assistance for the victims.
Mabilog also directed personnel from the City Health Office to extend medical assistance to fire victims who would get sick while at the evacuation center.
“I just appeal to everyone to be careful now that the weather is hot. Please refrain from illegal tapping of electricity and make sure that the electrical connections are well-maintained,” Mabilog said. RAM
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