CAPIZ – Thirteen families were left homeless after an early-morning fire destroyed 12 houses in Barangay 8, Roxas City on Sunday, September 13.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Roxas City estimated the initial property damage at P99,000, but it could still rise as assessments continued as of this writing.
Senior Fire Officer 2 Junemar Galve, acting chief of the BFP-Roxas City Public Information Unit, said in an interview with XFM Roxas that the fire quickly spread because the structures were mostly made of light materials.
Authorities said the blaze broke out at around 6:50 a.m. It was brought under control within an hour, with firefighters declaring a “fire out” at 7:35 a.m.
While nearby commercial establishments were saved, a resto-bar worker sustained injuries after panicking during the incident.
Meanwhile, Mayor Ronnie Dadivas immediately visited the scene to assess the situation and oversee the distribution of relief aid.
“Kinahanglan nila ang bulig, gani gilayon kita nagresponde upod ang DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development (, CSWDO (City Social Welfare and Development Office), CDRRMO (City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office), kag barangay officials,” Dadivas said in a Facebook post.
Affected residents received immediate relief packages from DSWD, which included family food packs, sleeping kits, hygiene kits, and kitchen supplies.
“Bisan amo lang anay sini nga pamaagi, mapahagan-hagan naton ang kasubo kag kabug-at sang problema nga ila ginapas-an. Madamo pa sang kinahanglan himuon asta malampuwasan nila ini nga pagtilaw,” the city mayor added.
BFP-Roxas City was still investigating the incident to determine the origin and exact cause of the fire./PN
