Fire guts 80 houses in Legazpi City

Residents of Victory Village in Legazpi City, view what was left of their community, which was destroyed by fire on Feb. 9, 2017. (PHOTO BY MARK ALVIC ESPLANA / INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON)

LEGAZPI CITY — Some 80 houses, mostly made of light materials, were razed by fire early morning here Thursday.

Insp. Gary Lunas, chief of the Bureau of Fire in this city, said around 400 residents lost their homes due to the fire that started at around 1:30 p.m. in Victory Village.

Sonny Gorgonio, a resident who lost a home, said the blaze might have started from the electric post.

“The fire spread so fast because of the strong winds,” he said.

Armelyn Besa, a boarder near the area, said the fire could have been easily put out if the narrow passages leading to the site were wide enough for the fire trucks.

Lunas said  fire-out was declared past 3 a.m., and no one was reportedly hurt.

Residents who lost their homes temporarily took shelter in the village hall, while others stayed with their relatives.

Lunas said they were still verifying the cause of fire.  SFM/rga