Iligan city fire claims one life, hurts 2

By Nora Soriño
Iligan City Bureau Chief,
Marylen Laurete
and Ric Palahang
Correspondents .

Iligan City — As investigations progressed on the fire that razed over 100 houses with 170 families living in them, it has been discovered that there was one fatality in its aftermath. The fire, to recall occurred Wednesday, 3 pm and was put under control at 4:19 pm.

According to city fire marshal Butch Baulete, the fatality was identified as Lydia Waga Palarca, 58.

FO3 Richard Cartin and FO3 Jesus S. Quiobe, Fire Arson Investigator said that some human parts of the cadaver were recovered from the fire scene believed to be that of the aforesaid fatality and this was later identified by the Scene of the Crime Operatives, together with relatives of Palarca.

The said fatality, it was learned, also had a hard time getting away from the fire scene as she was disabled and on a wheelchair.

It was later learned too that the fire had originated from the ceiling of the second floor of the house of one Lucas Anggot which was occupied by Lou Anggot-Ravides.

The fire quickly spread because the structures there were made of highly combustible materials. The fire fighters then found it difficult to position themselves strategically as narrow passage ways prevented firetrucks from the Central Fire Station, Saray, Santa Felomina, Tubod, Tibanga. Villaverde, Holcim, Gaisano, Mindanao Sanitarium, Kauswagan in Lanao Norte and even Lugait, Misamis Oriental from passing through.

Two of the residents were hurt: Rey Vincent Badelles who suffered from burns at his back and Roselee Naga, 58 who suffered burns at her left arm.

Most of the victims are now housed at the Ubaldo Laya Gym and are being attended to by the City Department of Welfare and Services and some concerned citizens, while some of the victims too are staying with relatives.

They are still investigating as to what really caused, the Bureau of Fire Protection said.