ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A 75-year-old man died while two children were injured in a fire that destroyed at least 200 shanties in this city shortly before noon yesterday.
Authorities identified the fatality as Solomon Aboso and the children as Senamae Lomibao, 10, and her brother Jomar, 6.
City fire marshall Superintendent Domingo Zabala said Aboso was trapped in their houses.
Arson probers have yet to determine the cause of the blaze that hit Caridad Compound in Barangay Tumaga.
Zabala said they have yet to determine the amount of damage caused by the fire.
Village chief Jackie Lim said more than 200 houses made of light materials were destroyed.
Lim said the fire left about 300 families homeless.