ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur—A fire lasting over two hours razed at least 100 houses in an informal settlement in Barangay San Roque here on Thursday afternoon.
According to Chief Inspector Lucio Albaracin, the city fire marshal, the fire swept across houses in Sampaloc Drive and Summer Hills, in a private property intended as a Chinese cemetery.
The fire reportedly broke out at around 11:15 a.m. and was completely put off by 1:35 p.m., said Albaracin.
San Roque village chief Edgardo Delgado said some residents reported about an unattended gas stove that exploded inside a house in Summer Hill as the likely origin of the fire although Albaracin said they are yet to determine the exact cause.
Strong winds led to the blaze spreading fast to other blocks of houses, said Delgado.
Delgado added that they have estimated up to 120 houses gutted by the fire which residents helped in putting off, hauling water with pails, pots and basins after five firetrucks ran out of water. In the process, several of them suffered minor injuries.
Damage was initially estimated at P600,000.
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