Strong wind fanned Batangas flames that gutted 100 houses — exec

SAN PEDRO CITY, Philippines – Strong wind helped spread the fire that eventually destroyed 100 houses and left 200 families homeless in Batangas City Saturday afternoon, a fire official said.

Fire Police Major Elaine Evangelista of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said wind blowing near the sea fanned the flames that gobbled up a huge portion of an informal community in Barangay Sta. Clara, close to the Batangas International Port.

Affected families were brought to an evacuation center at the Colegio ng Lungsod ng Batangas, under the city government.

According to the BFP, fire started at about 5:30 p.m. and reached the fourth alarm before it was put out around 11 p.m.

Evangelista said investigation was still ongoing although there were initial reports that the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring.

Earlier on Saturday, a fire also broke out in Barangay Cuta in Batangas City and gutted three houses.

An initial report from the Batangas City police said the Cuta fire was caused by a faulty electrical connection. /cbb