Fire destroyed 55 houses and damaged two in a densely populated area in Purok Pasil, Barangay Zone 5, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 4, the city’s social welfare officer said.
The fire has left 57 families with 232 members from the coastal community homeless, Dionela Madrona, Talisay City Social Welfare and Development officer, said.
The fire victims were evacuated to the Talisay City gym at Carmela Subdivision, she said.
The fire spread swiftly with many residents unable to save any of their belongings.
The fire hit small houses made of light materials built very close to each other in a squatter area, SFO4 Jessie Dequilato, Talisay City Fire Marshal, said.
It started from the house of Phoebe Pasilan and was most probably caused by a faulty electrical connection, he said.
They received the fire call at 1:33 p.m., and it was under control at 2:26 p.m. and out at 3:34 p.m., he said.
Their estimated damage to the fire-hit houses built on 1,500 square meters was P525,000, Dequilato said.
Madrona said the city government will provide the fire victims with shelter assistance, cash and food-for-work while rebuilding their houses.
Food packs and dinner were provided by Angel Wings Foundation president Rowena Lopez-Lizares, she added.
A donation drive for the fire victims has also been launched with drop off points at the lobby of the Talisay City Hall and PWD office, the city government announced on its Facebook page.*