Fire hit 16 houses in Barangay Zone 1 Poblacion, Murcia, Negros Occidental, at 7:10 a.m. Friday, April 14.
The fire destroyed 12 houses and damaged four, which were estimated to cost P100,000, Fire Officer 3 Rona Magdaluyo said.
She denied claims that the Murcia firetrucks did not immediately respond and that they were not filled with water.
Fire trucks from other areas also assisted, Magdaluyo said.
She pointed out that the fire station is located in front of the area where the fire broke out and that first responders even ran on ahead with fire extinguishers, she said.
However, the fire spread swiftly because the houses were made of light materials and the weather was very hot, she said.
Murcia Mayor Gerardo Rojas said immediate assistance was given to the fire victims who are temporarily staying in two day care centers.
The municipal and provincial governments, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development have provided assistance to the fire victims, including food and bedding kits, he said.
They municipal government will also provide the families whose houses were destroyed P10,000 each and P5,000 for those damaged, and additional building materials, he added.*