KAWIT, Cavite — Fire destroyed around 500 houses in Barangay Samala-Marquez early Friday morning, leaving over 1,000 families homeless.
Officials raised the mid-level alarm, or Task Force Alpha, past 2 a.m. which meant at least 20 firetrucks from other fire districts were called in to respond. The blaze was put out at 4:30 a.m.
The fire spread quickly because the houses were made of light materials. Several explosions were also heard when the blaze reached some liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks.
No fatality was reported but some residents suffered injuries during the fire incident, which damaged properties worth P800,000.
The blaze gutted down about 80% of the village including its barangay hall, covered court, and daycare center, according to authorities.
Town mayor Angelo Aguinaldo visited the fire victims together with first responders and municipal health workers. The mayor assured some affected families will receive P5,000 cash aid each.
In a Facebook post, he also appealed for donations in the form of food, water, clothes and other essential needs.
Gabayan mo po panginoon lahat ng nasunugan. Bigyan mo po sila ng lakas ng loob na kayanin ang dinanas na trahedya….
Posted by Warry Ayroso on Thursday, March 18, 2021
Most of the victims are temporarily staying at Binakayan Elementary School while others are housed at a church.
Investigators are still determining the cause of the incident as of posting.
