150 houses razed in Batangas City fire

Fire broke out in Batangas City on Saturday, razing 150 homes.

According to reports by Bernadette Reyes and Mav Gonzales on GMA News TV's Balitanghali on Sunday, the fire hit a residential area in Barangay Sta. Clara beside the coast near the Batangas Port past 5 p.m.

Some of the residents jumped into the waters to escape the fire.

Because it was low tide, residents could not get enough water from the sea to put out the fire.

Barangay chairman Derick Arago said the fire quickly spread.

The fire, which reached the fourth alarm by 7 p.m., was declared put out at 11 p.m.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

No one was hurt in the incident, but many of the residents were not able to save any of their belongings.

The affected residents sought refuge at a basketball court and a school.

The barangay said donations will be accepted to help those who lost their homes in the fire.

Although the affected community was near the Batangas Pier, the fire did not reach the port.

The city administrator said operations at the Batangas Pier remained normal, with trips of RORO vessels and ferries going as scheduled. —KG, GMA News