20160309 Philippines Woman killed in fire that guts 49 houses
Philippines Mar 08 2016 “Houses”
Dead : dead 1 to 4 Burnout : 30 to 69 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Woman killed in fire that guts 49 houses
Updated: 2016-03-09-00:00
A 54-year-old woman who was allegedly suffering from autism spectrum disorder died in a Monday noon fire that also razed 49 houses at the coastal area of Zone 1B at Barangay San Juan in Molo district of this city.
The victim, Charito Zabala, failed to come out of her house as fire quickly engulfed it and neighboring houses. There were reports that a four-year-old girl was missing but firefighters found no other cadaver aside from Zabala’s.
Fire Superintendent Jerry Candido, marshal of the Bureau of Fire Protection–Iloilo City said Zabala was living near the house of Roberto Sedurifa Jr., an elevated structure made of light materials where the fire allegedly started.
Candido said the cause of fire was “probably a short circuit of electrical wiring.” He said the fire call was made at around 11:05 a.m., was declared under control at 11:39 a.m., and a fire out at 2:16 p.m., or about three hours after.
Although response was immediately done, 42 of the 49 houses were totally burnt, he said, adding that the damage to property was estimated to reach P2 million.
FBFP-Iloilo City said that, during the Fire Prevention Month observance this March, a total of three fire incidents were recorded. The other week, a fire struck at Barangay Obrero in La Paz district, this city, but it was quickly put out, Candido said.
Over the weekend, another fire occurred at Barangay Kasing-Kasing in Molo district, leaving one house totally burnt and another partially razed, he said.
Candido appealed to the public to be mindful of keeping their families and homes safe from fire, but avoiding an overload in electrical circuits and checking regularly their installations. He also asked parents to look after their children who might be playing with matches.
Web Source: Philstar
http://www.philstar.com/region/2016/03/09/1561130/woman-killed-fire-guts-49-houses