Over 1,000 families homeless after Isabela City fire

Isabela City, Basilan (Google maps)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – More than a thousand families were left homeless after a fire hit Barangay Diki in Isabela City, Basilan, on Sunday morning.

Violeta Ramirez, the Isabela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer, said they were also trying to verify the reported deaths of two toddlers and an elderly.

She said the fire started after a load explosion.

“Probably a power overload, but we cannot rule out anything at this time,” she said.

Diki is one of eight barangays on Malamawi Island, which faces the port of Isabela City.

Malamawi Island has no fire station.

Ramirez said that according to barangay officials, more than 200 houses were razed while a thousand families were left homeless.

“We were forced to hire rubber boats and water pumps so we can put out the fire,” Ramirez said, adding that residents also helped fire fighters.  SFM