100 families lose homes in Maguindanao fire

KIDAPAWAN CITY—At least 100 informal settlers-families were rendered homeless by a three-hour fire that razed an area near the public market of Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao on Friday evening.

Mayor Mohammad Paglas said the sad development took place amid warnings to residents of his town to be extra-cautious to prevent fire incidents during the dry spell.

Paglas said it was apparent that some residents had been careless amid the warnings, which officials had been issuing since the dry spell started.

He said the fire apparently started from one of the eateries in the area and immediately spread to nearby houses, which are mainly made of light and indigenous materials.

“We suspected that the negligence of the eatery owner caused the fire,” Paglas said, without identifying the said person.

The problem with his town, the mayor said, was that it had no fire engine.

During the incident, it had to rely on the assistance provided by fire stations from Tacurong City; Buluan town, also in Maguindanao, and Tulunan in North Cotabato.

The affected families were now temporarily staying in nearby government buildings and their relatives and were being assisted by social workers, he said.

“We are still thankful because no one was harmed,” Paglas added.

He said aside from assisting the affected residents with food, the town also started to scout for a relocation area.

“There is a vacant lot in Barangay Bagong Pagasa, where the affected families could be relocated and we will source out fund to buy that area for them,” he said. RC