Kids playing with matches started Cavite fire–BFP

A mother and her children return to their community in Barangay Maliksi 3 in Bacoor City the morning after a fire struck their neighborhood to check on whatever they can salvage from the debris of their homes. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

At least 1,000 families lost their homes to a fire that razed a coastal community in Bacoor City in Cavite province on Wednesday night.

Supt. Robert Pacis, city fire marshal, said the four-hour fire in Barangay Maliksi 3 was put out around 8 p.m.

A report from the Bureau of Fire Protection said 600 houses, mostly made of light materials, were razed, forcing 1,000 families to seek temporary shelter at the Maliksi Elementary School.

No one, however, was hurt.

The Bacoor government sent food and water to the victims while officials study possible relocation options, Pacis said.

He said their initial investigation showed that fire started past 4 p.m. in the house of a one Raffy Una.

“Children were allegedly playing with matches, which led to the big fire,” he said.

Pacis said the fire quickly spread since there was no concrete structure to block the blaze.

He said at least P500,000 worth of property was destroyed. —MARICAR CINCO