ZAMBOANGA CITY—More than 90 families ended up homeless after a fire swept through a thickly populated community at the village of Zone 2, Isabela City in Basilan province on Wednesday (June 3).
Jamju Rivera, Isabela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer, said the fire destroyed 34 houses at a community called Kaumpurnah. Three residents were rushed to hospital for injuries and smoke inhalation.
Among those rushed to hospital were Myrna Said, who collapsed during the fire. Sakib Said, also a resident who has hypertension, complained of chest pain. Adzlan Arabain was injured in the foot.
Rivera said arson investigators are still looking into what caused the fire and are estimating the damage.
He said it took firefighters an hour to put out the fire.
Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin ordered the relocation of the families to the Kaumpurnah Elementary School where food, clothing, sleeping mats and utensils were distributed.