A fire struck Iloilo City’s Lapuz district around 12:00 noon yesterday, affecting 12 homes.

According to Deputy Iloilo City Fire Marshal Arden Bedoña, nine houses are considered destroyed, while three were damaged.

The blaze began around 12:26 p.m., with a “fire out” declared by 1:29 p.m.

Firefighters noted the affected houses were made of light and mixed materials.

Bedoña believes the fire may have started at a home owned by 59-year-old Madelyn Bariquit, noting garbage was reportedly being burned outside her residence prior to the blaze.

“I splashed the burning garbage with water,” claimed Bariquit.

Four residents were injured from the incident, while investigators estimate damages at P300,000.

An investigation is ongoing./WDJ