Ten houses were totally gutted and four houses were partially damaged by fire on the first day of 2020 yesterday at Zone 4 Barangay Sambag in Iloilo City’s Jaro district.
The fire started around 9:00 a.m. and was declared under control by the firefighters around 9:36 a.m.
According to the initial investigation of Iloilo City Fire Station, the cause of fire could be electrical in nature.

Totally gutted houses were owned by Baquio Rogador, Totong Depra, Jonathan Gancia, Estrella Melecoton, John Libuna, Leonito Libuna, Elmer Macaya, Celso Conde and Albert Compliza while the partially damaged shelters belonged to Fred Marbebe, Florence Paglumutan, Andong Gallardo, and Keneth Rhoy Buenafe.
SFO4 Aquilino Sampiono told the press in an interview that the fire originated from the house of Estrella Melecoton. The neighboring houses are made of light materials resulting to the quick spread of the blaze.
City BFP declared “fire out” around 10:28 a.m., leaving an estimated damage of P150,000. Fire victims are temporarily staying in the village’s covered gym.
Meanwhile, in Iloilo’s Guimbal town, a 2-storey residential house was destroyed by fire that started around 3:57 a.m. at the town’s Barangay Nanga.
According to Guimbal Fire Station, the blaze was caused by short circuit electrical outlet. A“fire out” was declared around 6:05 a.m., leaving reportedly P1.5 million cost of damage.
There are no reported injuries or casualties on both fire incidents./WDJ