Fire destroys 100 homes at height of Dinagyang festival in Iloilo City

Volunteers and firemen help other put out the fire that started around 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, in Barangay Tanza, Esperanza, Iloilo City. As of 8:20 p.m., the fire had already engulfed around 70 houses, mostly made of light materials. PHOTO BY GUIJO DUENAS, INQUIRER VISAYAS

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—A fire erupted in at least three villages in Iloilo City at the height of the Dinagyang festival on Sunday night.

At least 100 houses have been burned down as of 7:45 p.m. as the firefighters struggled to place the fire under control, said Senior Superintendent Marietto Valerio, Iloilo City police chief.

No one has been reported hurt.

The fire, which started around 6 p.m., burned down mostly shanties in Barangay (village) Tanza-Esperanza, Malipayon and Tanza-Timawa.

Valerio said firefighters had difficulty putting out the fire because fire trucks could not pass through narrow passageways in the villages.