24 families lose homes as fire breaks out at NHA again

By JOEY NACALABAN
and NITZ ARANCON
Correspondents .

A FIRE which residents suspected may have been caused by a mosquito killer that was improperly placed broke out and left at least 24 families homeless at NHA in Barangay Kauswagan yesterday morning.

Supt. Richard Arbutante, district fire bureau chief, said investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire that razed to the ground some 10 residential establishment at Zone 5, Phase 1, NHA-Kauswagan at around 10:10 am.

Arbutante said the situation was placed under control 40 minutes later and a “fire-out” was declared at around 11:14 am.

Arbutante said 11 fire trucks were sent to the area after the fire bureau learned about the fire.

Arbutante’s initial estimates placed the structural damages at P1.5 million. No one was hurt in the fire that broke out in the same area in a month’s time.

Most of the fire victims have sought shelter at a covered court in front of the area where their houses used to stand.

Many of them were not able to salvage much of their belongings.

Jesus Aquino, one of the victims and an internet shop owner, said he was sleeping when he was awakened by the noise outside. He said he was not able to save his things, including all the PC computers in his shop.

Kauswagan barangay chairman Pedro Balete said village workers were sent to help the victims.

Arbutante said initial investigation showed that the fire started at the second level of a house that belonged to one Anabel Adajar. How the fire started is still being looked into by investigators.

But many residents said it may have been caused by an unattended  mosquito killer or a lighted candle.

Arbutante said fire fighters had difficulties going to the area due to a very narrow passage.