At least 13 families were left homeless after a fire destroyed seven houses and damaged another in an interior portion of sitio Eyha, barangay Guadalupe, yesterday morning.
Firefighters raised the fire to the 3rd alarm and fought the blaze for about 30 minutes before they considered it under control.
Bureau of Fire Protection chief fire investigator Allen Arciaga said the fire started from the second floor of the house owned by Rudy and Hazel Lariosa.
The BFP only reported seven houses totally burned and one partially damaged, but the Department of Social Welfare Service placed the number at nine.
DSWS identified the house owners as Allen Almogen, Rafael Cabase, Rosalina Develleres, Cheffe Gabutan, Eutiquio Gabutan Jr., Faith Gabutan, Christopher Gacasan, Alicia Gula-gula and the Lariosas.
Arciaga said they are verifying the report that the fire was caused by an unattended kerosene lamp as the Lariosas no longer have electricity in the house.
“Under investigation pa nato kay dunay version nga nanggamit daw og lamparilya as per information nga atong nadawat,” Arciaga said.
During the incident, a resident identified as Evan Navotas, 22, was injured after stepping on a nail that tore his left foot during the commotion. He was immediately attended to by emergency medical services at the scene.
Damage was pegged at P700,000.
Social Welfare officer Minda del Monte said the 68 individuals who composed the 13 families have been given food assistance and clean water. Housing materials are expected to be distributed to them. — Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP