100 families left homeless in Mati City fire Sunday night

DAVAO CITY—Some 100 familes were rendered homeless when a fire hit a commercial and residential area in Mati City in Davao Oriental on Sunday night.

Richard Villacorte, the city administrator, said the fire, which started around 8:15 p.m., happened in Barangay (village) Central.

Edgar Salanio, the city’s disaster and risk reduction head, said that according to initial reports, the fire started inside an air conditioning repair shop.

“The shop was located in an old building made of light materials, and that is the fire spread quickly,” he said.

Mayor Michelle Rabal has ordered the opening of government-owned gymnasiums for the displaced residents,