Fire guts 50 houses in war-hit Zambo City

ZAMBOANGA CITY - A huge fire gutted at least 50 houses made of light materials in Barangay Kasanyangan on Wednesday night.

The blaze happened as residents have started to return to their homes after the 20-day standoff between the Moro National Liberation Front and government troops.

City Fire Marshal Superintendent Dominador Zabala Jr. said the fire brokeout at around 10:30 p.m.

Zabala said that firemen had a hard time penetrating the area since it is located in a mangrove area and the roads leading to the burning houses are very narrow.

More than 200 residents were affected by the fire. Its damage has been pegged at P1 million.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze.