3 houses razed in Arevalo fire
Iloilo City -- Barely a week after the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) launched Fire Prevention Month, fire occurred in Brgy. San Jose, Arevalo Monday evening which razed three houses. Three other houses were partially burned by the fire that lasted for less than an hour.
Fire investigators estimated the damage to P750,000.
Fire Officer 1 Rolin Hormina said the fire burned down the houses of Ronnie Sapio, Ricardo Sapio and Emma Sapio. Ricardo's house is rented by Richard Medez. The fire emanated from Sapio's house and quickly spread in the neighboring houses.
Hormina added that last Monday night's fire also partially burned the houses of Merlyn Platilla, Zenaida Animas and Glen Guiñez.
Immediate relief assistance from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is underway for the fire victims.
Hormina said a fire fighter from the Jaro fire substation was injured while trying to put off the fire.
The victim was identified as Fire Officer 1 Jason Manuel. His right anterior shoulder was dislocated.
Though fire investigators have already estimated the damage to P750,000 they could not yet ascertain the cause of the fire. Residents heard explosions coming from Ricardo's house before the fire occurred. Some residents suspect that the fire was caused by firecrackers. However, the Sapios initially said the fire came from the circuit breaker.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Treñas said the city government will come up with a massive information campaign relative to this month's fire prevention month.
Last Monday's fire, was the first fire incident recorded for this month.
Last month a huge fire hit Barangay Ma. Cristina in Jaro district razing 25 houses and commercial establishments. The damage was estimated to reach P5 million. The fire was attributed to short circuit.