Pagadian City fire leaves 145 coastal families homeless

Residents gather their belongings after a fire in a coastal village of Pagdian City. LEAH AGONOY

PAGADIAN CITY—A two-hour fire left at least 145 families homeless in a costal village of this city on Friday (Aug. 30.)

The fire started at the house of a certain Odie Golez, a fisherman, according to witnesses, and spread fast.

Rosevic Golez, Odie’s sister, said the flames started inside her sister’s bedroom which was locked. By the time its door was opened, the fire had crept to the entire house and other houses.

Fire officials said the flames were fanned by winds from the shore. Fire fighting units from other areas had to be called in.

No one was hurt in the fire but responders had difficulty reaching the area because some houses were atop a cliff and passageways were too narrow for fire trucks./tsb