Iloilo City Fire Claims Three Lives, Displaces 72 Families

ILOILO: A devastating fire in Zone 3, Barangay Habog-Habog Salvacion, Molo, Iloilo City resulted in the deaths of three individuals and the displacement of 72 families early Saturday morning. The tragic incident left a substantial number of residents homeless and caused significant damage to residential and commercial properties.

According to Philippines News Agency, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the deceased were identified as 65-year-old Elizabeth Jetano, who was bedridden, her 33-year-old son Nell Gabriel, and her 10-year-old granddaughter Rain. “They were probably trapped inside the house,” Gelogo stated in an interview. Elizabeth’s husband, village councilor Nestor Jetano, was away on duty as a security guard when the fire broke out.

Gelogo reported that the Department of Social Welfare and Development swiftly provided PHP30,000 in financial assistance to the immediate family of the victims. Additionally, food and non-food assistance were extended to other affected individuals. Mayor Jerry Treñas has instructed the CSWDO to explore the availability of funds for the prompt release of further aid.

A validation conducted by the CSWDO revealed that 64 houses were completely destroyed and two were partially damaged in the blaze. Gelogo noted that the rapid spread of the fire was facilitated by the light materials used in most of the houses. The displaced families have been accommodated at the evacuation center in Baluarte Elementary School.

The local government has also issued an appeal for assistance, specifically requesting donations of clothing, undergarments, food items, utensils, and water. “We already have a community kitchen and donations keep coming,” Gelogo added, highlighting the ongoing support efforts.

The Bureau of Fire Protection, in their statement, mentioned that the fire also inflicted damage on commercial establishments and educational structures, including a daycare center. The fire department received the emergency call around 2:59 a.m. and managed to extinguish the fire, which had escalated to the fourth alarm, by 6:59 a.m. The estimated damages from the fire amount to approximately PHP6.664 million. The response efforts involved 15 firetrucks and three ambulances.