1 dead, over 20 homes destroyed in Maasin City fire

TACLOBAN CITY — A man died and more than 20 families in Maasin City, Southern Leyte, lost their homes to a fire on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 23.

The charred body of Felicito Bulan, 59, was discovered inside his house in Barangay Tagnipa, according to SFO2 Alvin Telen of the Maasin City Fire Station.

At least 22 houses were destroyed in the blaze.

Telen reported that the fire started around 12:30 p.m. and was extinguished by about 3:20 p.m.

“The fire spread quickly as the houses were not only located near each other but were mostly made of light materials,” he said during a phone interview.

Telen mentioned that the fire originated in the house of Lando Pedrera.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The affected families, totaling more than 150 people, are currently sheltered at the nearby Maasin Central School and Saint Joseph College.

Both the city and the provincial government of Southern Leyte have provided immediate assistance to the victims, offering food and other essentials like clothing.

The estimated damage from the fire is around P10 million.