By Lorry V. Gabule
ILIGAN CITY NEWS — For victims of the conflagration, it was kind of a night mare when they woke up. Nothing was left but ashes of their properties, after they were totally burned.
Around 12:10 a.m. of Sept. 11, fire furiously razed 91 houses, inflicting total damage, that left 192 families with 455 dependents of Puroks Abestilla and Bagong Lipunan, Barangay Mahayahay, here, homeless.
. Likewise, there were 48 identified as renters, boarders, and sharers, whose belongings were partially damaged.
The fire started at the residence of Guro Alam Tucal of Purok Bagong Lipunan. It was reported that upon the arrival of the city fire truck, three (3) residential buildings made up of mixed materials were already engulfed by fire.
Firefighters have controlled the fire after one hour and 30 minutes (1:30min.) of firefighting operations and declared fire out at around 3:00am, said City Fire Marshal Wilfredo A. David, Chief, Bureau of Fire Protection, (BFP).
Sixteen (16) fire trucks from the city and neighboring towns responded to fully clear the area out of danger while the stimated damage to property amounted to Php20 million.
Several victims are now at the evacuation center in the barangay gymnasium, while others took refuge at the houses of their relatives.
David said a thorough investigation on the cause of fire is being conducted, which is still on-going as of press time.
“We based our listings from the actual interview using the intake form of the families affected, which was done by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) workers assigned in the area,” explained Josefina Mabanta, CSWD Supervisor, District 3.
The city government provided rice, sardines, noodles, kitchen wares, beddings and used clothing as immediate relief assistance to the fire victims, which are directly distributed by pack to the victims at the evacuation center.
Other groups who donated food packs were the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Abante Mindanao (ABAMIN) Party List, city councilors, individuals and religious groups, clubs, who brought their donations directly to the evacuation center.
Meanwhile Evelyn Madrio, Team Leader of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), region 10, Cagayan de Oro City, has requested for augmentation of relief assistance from the region to be distributed to the fire victims, and cash assistance to the totally/partially damaged houses/properties of the victims. (PIA-10)
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