ZAMBOANGA CITY – A four-hour fire destroyed about PHP4 million worth of properties and displaced some 1,000 families in a densely populated community here Sunday evening, officials said Monday.
Supt. Leo Pioquinto, Zamboanga City Fire District (ZCFD) marshal, said the fire broke out around 8:01 p.m. in Sitio Bagong Dalan, Barangay Tugbungan.
“The fire started at one of the houses and rapidly spread, engulfing the nearby houses, most of which are made of light materials,” Pioquinto said.
Barangay chairperson Ramon Saavedra said the fire destroyed about 500 houses, displacing around 1,000 families.
Pioquinto said the fire reached third alarm and was placed under control at around 9:57 p.m. It was completely extinguished at 11:57 p.m., although its cause remains under investigation.
A total of 15 firetrucks responded, backed by 13 water tankers from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Zamboanga City Water District, government officials, and private firms.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office, in coordination with the Tugbungan barangay council, is conducting assessments and profiling of the affected families.
Mayor Khymer Olaso said in a local radio interview that the displaced families are temporarily staying at Tugbungan Elementary School and the barangay covered court.
Olaso said the city government is considering transferring them to city facilities in Barangays Cabatangan and Talisayan.
