BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO – A fire swept through 17 houses in Sitio Tondo, Barangay Poblacion Ilaya, Zarraga town yesterday afternoon.
Of these, 15 homes were completely destroyed, while two were partially damaged.
The blaze, which broke out at around 12 noon and was extinguished at around 1:50 p.m., displaced at least 104 individuals from 27 families in the area.
The totally damaged houses were owned by Ma. Teresa Genon, Mark Sondia, Pablito Soldevilla, Jennifer Mejaro, Ma Luz Deocades, Noel Soldevilla, Jose Jerry Sidon, Jerald Sidon, Jose Saldivar, Elizabeth Abacajan, Rodrigo Paniza, Alex Ortigoza, Joel Somatra, Jomer Latoza, and Elayne Granada Asuzena.
While the houses of Marry Queen Tupaz and Efren Tupaz were partially damaged.
In an interview with Panay News, Zarraga’s Mayor Jofel Marañon-Soldevilla revealed that the fire reportedly originated from a child playing with matches in the home of the Genon family.
The town’s Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) was still verifying the information as of this writing.
According to Marañon-Soldevilla, the houses in the area were closely packed together, mostly constructed with light materials, which contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
The mayor expressed gratitude for the swift response of the BFP personnel, which helped contain the fire quickly and prevented any loss of life.
A total of 11 fire trucks from nearby towns, Iloilo City and volunteer groups responded.
Furthermore, the mayor emphasized the town’s commitment to providing the victims with essential aid while appealing to the public, especially those with extra clothes and food, to extend assistance to those affected by the tragedy./PN
