4,000 people lose homes to fire in Tacloban City

TACLOBAN CITY—More than 4,000 people were rendered homeless on Sunday when fire destroyed more than 600 houses in one of the city’s depressed areas.

Fire investigators were looking into the cause of the fire that hit Barangays 60, 60-A and 61 in Sagkahan District, Tacloban, about 10:30 a.m.

City fire marshal Chief Inspector Adel Bautista said the fire started from one of the houses in Barangay 60-A and quickly spread to the neighboring villages of 60 and 61 as the houses were made of light materials.

“We had difficulty putting out the fire due to the strong wind. The fire spread quickly,” Bautista said.

Firefighters from Palo, Tanauan, Alangalang, Sta. Fe and Tolosa towns and the Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade helped the Tacloban fire department to put out the fire.

Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez  said the city government mobilized its various offices to help the affected families. “The city mayor issued a directive to make Tacloban Convention Center a temporary shelter for the fire victims,” she added. Joey A. Gabieta, Inquirer Visayas