Fire possibly caused by an unattended cooking stove gutted seven residential and small business structures made of light material in barangay Looc, Dumaguete City around noon Tuesday, which briefly disrupted the annual fiesta celebration of the barangay, in honor of their patron saint, St. John, the Baptist.
Dumaguete Fire Chief Arnulfo Sayson said initial investigation showed the fire could have originated from one of the destroyed houses.
He said this was likely since people were celebrating the fiesta and preparing food for lunch when the fire broke out.
Some witnesses said they noticed smoke and then flames break out from one of the houses.
The City Fire Department received the fire call at around 12:04 p.m., and four fire trucks and several firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Residents also helped put out the blaze by tapping water from local connections and using pails and other containers, witnesses said.
Investigators said the fire was placed under control about 10 minutes later, with the house of Greta Ruiz destroyed, and those of Dominador Lauriano, Badiday Palencia and the office of the Maritime Police damaged. More houses in the interior portion are also being assessed for damage.
The part of Barangay Looc, right next to the PPA Container Terminal, is a government-owned property with informal settlers living in shanties and other structures made mostly of light materials, he said.
Inspection conducted by the City Fire Department shows that these residences are illegal structures. Many of the informal settlers claim to be dependent on the city port nearby for livelihood, and do not want to be relocated.
Barangay Captain Angelita Ragay thanked the Fire Department and the city’s rescue groups and volunteers for their immediate response. Carola Alquero, OIC Social Welfare and Development officer, and a team of social workers provided assistance, especially food, to the fire victims, and in identifying those who need aid from the city government. (PNA/JFP)
