A fire has razed three houses in Barangay 11, Batangas City and left damage estimated at P2.3 million. 

The houses were made of light materials, which made it easy for the fire to spread quickly.

Investigation is ongoing, as of this writing, to determine the cause of the fire.

“Ang possible na dahilan ng sunog [ay] under investigation pa po… bukod sa engulfted na po talaga yung bahay is sobrang usok, pero napenetrate ng tropa ang harap at likod para mapatay ang sunog,” FO1 Nympa Garcia, an Investigator from BFP Batangas City, said.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) put the fire out after nearly two hours.

Maricel Espelita, one of those affected, was alerted about the fire while she was at the market. Upon returning home, she found her property already consumed by flames.

“Ang itim-itim ng usok, kukunin ko sana 'yung aking naitagong pera atsaka ‘yung documents, ID, mga permits… ay wala sunog [na] lahat,” Espelita said.

There were no reported injuries or casualties.

The incident temporarily disrupted the electricity supply in the area after several MERALCO cables were damaged. Power was restored after five hours.

As of this writing, 28 individuals affected by the fire sought refuge at the South Central Elementary School, where they received assistance from the City Social Welfare Office.

Aid in the form of rice, cooking utensils, and mats was distributed, with financial assistance to follow.

“Ngayong araw na ito [April 8], binalikan natin ang mga family para sa maipapaabot pa [yung] ating tulong like financial assistance, and kung ano pa yung puwede nating maipaabot sa pamamagitan [ng] aming tanggapan,” Bren Andal, Social Welfare Officer 1, said.

Espelita is thankful for the help given to her family and appealed for assistance from the public.

“Kung sino po gustong tumulong sa amin, baka naman po. Hindi ko po alam kung saan magsimula ngayon, solo parent ako, pinipilit ko mapag-aral lahat ng aking anak, lahat naman ho nag-aaral, lahat naman ho ay ayos kasi may honor student, kaya lang ho, ngayon, wala hindi ko alam, tulad [pa] ngayon [na] may mga project na may gagawin na [yung mga anak ko], hindi ko alam [kung ano na gagawin],” she said.

BFP advises the public:

“Kung dati po doble ingat, ngayon mag-triple ingat po, 'yung mga saksak[an] po hangga't hindi ginagamit tanggalin natin. Yung mga high risk [at] mga hazard sa paligid po natin ay as much as possible tanggalin natin,” Garcia said.