Fire strikes six houses; injures two men

CEBU, Philippines - Two men, one of them a tanod, were injured when a fire broke out at the congested village of Rizal Pala-Pala I at the City Proper in Iloilo City, where five houses were reduced into ashes and one more partially burned.

Fire Superintendent Jerry Candido, marshal of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Iloilo City, said the razed houses were owned by Joy Demonteverde, Celso Baguloso, Ma. Victoria Fuego–Sevilla, Reynaldo Celiz, and Juliet Descalzota, while the partially burned one belonged to Paromenia Gallo.

Candido said his office had estimated the fire’s damage to property at P2 million.

The BFP-Iloilo City received the fire alarm call around 8:26 p.m. of Wednesday and several fire trucks were immediately dispatched to the scene. The fire, which engulfed only the area near the road, was put under control at 9:04 p.m., or about 30 minutes later, and then a fire out was declared at 9:25 p.m.

Candido said the fire originated at the ceiling of the second floor of Sevilla’s house, which was being rented by a certain Cesar Arcenas. “We have recovered evidence that there was a short circuit of electrical wiring due to overloading of electrical connection,” he said.

Those who were wounded in the incident were identified as Jay-R Pagunaling and barangay watchman Jeremias Arceta. Both are now in stable condition.  (FREEMAN)