BY JEN BAYLON & MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – A massive fire ravaged Zone 3, Barangay Salvacion Habog-Habog in Molo district in the early hours of Saturday, Dec. 16, resulting in three fatalities and an estimated P6.6 million in property damage.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is investigating the cause, with residents suspecting arson.
This incident is deemed the largest residential fire in Western Visayas this year.
Barangay Kagawad Rommel Macarse, whose three-story house was destroyed, expressed belief in deliberate intent, citing multiple points of origin and possible use of accelerants.
Fire Superintendent Melanie Habawel reported that the blaze destroyed 70 structures, including 68 houses, a daycare center, and a barangay hall, affecting 84 families or 273 individuals.
The casualties were identified as Elizabeth Jetano (65), Niel Jetano (31), and Rain Gabriel Jetano (10), found together in their home.
The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said a total of 15 fire trucks and three ambulance teams responded to the fire call made around 4:29 a.m.
After over two hours of firefighting, the city BFP declared “fire out” at around 6:59 a.m.
“Ang amon nga kaso daw indi faulty electrical wiring, pero daw hungod. Sakit sa amon nga kung tani mahambal ka lang bala nga negligence bi nga may kandila, kuryente. Ari ya daw hungod. Ang na-istoryahan namon ang ginhalinan sang kalayo daw indi lang isa ka lugar. Sa may napatay to, bati ko, may didto man ginhalinan sang kalayo. Buot silingon basi ginbutangan gasolina. Ang punto bala daw arson ang natabu. Sa amon tanan, sakit eh,” Barangay Kagawad Macarse told Panay News.
The fire coincided with the first day of Simbang Gabi masses.
“Actually, sa tanan nga nasunogan, kami lang ang wala may nasalbar kay bilog gid kami nga pamilya nagsimba. Ti first day [of Simbang Gabi masses], nagmuno ako sa pamilya ko nga masimba kita tanan kay gina-perfect na namon ang Aguinaldo for pila na ka tuig. Didto kami sa simbahan sang Molo, nagapangalawat na kami, manugtapos na, sang pagkabalo namon nga nasunog ang balay,” said Macarse.
Macarse added that their newly built house was only finished in September of this year. And although his family was safe, they lost some pets to the fire.
“Pagpuli, ang nasalbar lang namon bayo halin sa simbahan. Wala gid kami may nasalbar biskan isa nga gamit. Ang amon balay da bag-o na, sang September lang na nahuman. Tatlo lang ka bulan da tinir namon. May ido kami lima, patay ang tatlo, nasunog, tapos ang duha nakaguwa,” he lamented.
In addition, the house of Noel Pedrosa was also totally burned.
“Kay nagbyahe ko tricycle, pagpuli ko sa balay mga ala-una sa kaagahon nanyapon ko. Antis ako matulog, kay bag-o lang ko tapos kaon, nagselpon pa ko. Natulogan ko mga 3:30 a.m., pero namukaw akon asawa nga may sunog. Nagkaran-karan na kami. Nakita ko sa amon kaiping balay nga gasiga na, pula-pula na kaayo,” he recounted.
The residential area had parts with narrow passages that made it difficult for firefighters to penetrate.
“Ginpagwa ko dayon akon tricycle para makasulod ang fire truck. Surudlon gid [fire area],” Pedrosa added.
The tricycle driver pointed out they have a fire hydrant in the area.
However, he pointed out that “ang iya linya damo na mga lusbot amo na wala nagamit. Malab-ot ya [water hydrant] tani ang mga balay nga nasunog kay may mga hose.”
The 49-year-old father lamented their situation, since aside from the holidays, his child was also about to take the board examination.
“Ang akon bata makuha tani board exam sa January nga ni. Ang ginaipit-ipit ko nga kwarta nga para sa pre-board ya wala ko gid mahingagaw kay ti ang ginapaminsar ko lang nga masalbar ang mga bata ko, bahala na ang mga gamit kay makita na ya,” Pedrosa added.
Following the tragedy, Habawel issued a reminder to the Ilonggos.
“Many of our fellow citizens were displaced and will not have homes for Christmas and the New Year. Please be cautious and responsible inside your homes to prevent fires, especially since the majority of fires in our area are accidental, often caused by electrical faults and household items. Let us hope for a joyful and disaster-free celebration of Christmas and the New Year,” she said.
The affected families and individuals were evacuated and are currently sheltered at Baluarte Elementary School with food and non-food items initially provided by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
Meanwhile, the city government has set up Uswag Community Kitchen, portable toilets, folding beds, and other necessities. Personnel of the CSWDO, City Health Office, and CDRRMO were also deployed to cater to the victims’ needs and concerns.
The family of Mayor Jerry Treñas, through his daughter Raisa Treñas-Chu, has brought plates, mats, utensils, towels, hygiene kits, food, and used clothing for the evacuees.
In addition, the office of Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon has extended help to the affected residents.
Also, Cong. Julienne “Jam Jam” Baronda has distributed relief packs and eyes to facilitate financial assistance distribution coming from the Department of Social Welfare and Development./PN
