700 Roxas City residents homeless in 14-hour fire

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — At least 700 residents of Roxas City lost their homes in a 14-hour fire that started Sunday evening.

The fire that struck around 7:30 p.m. burned down 147 houses in Barangay (village) 9 and Punta, Tabuc Fire Senior Insp. Rowel Limjuco, city fire marshal, said.

Firefighters put the fire under control about 10:45 p.m. on Sunday but it was totally put out about 9:12 a.m. on Monday because of the continued burning of a warehouse where plastic ware, grocery items and other combustible materials were stored.

Seven persons, including two firefighters suffered bruises, cuts and other minor injuries, said Limjuco.

Investigators are validating reports that the fire was caused by an unattended candle at a house in Barangay 9.

There was still no estimate of the cost of damage as of Monday afternoon.

Limjuco said the fire victims were evacuated to the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center where they were given assistance by the city government.