A fire of still undetermined origin destroyed a total of 340 houses and commercial establishments along K.M. 11 in Sasa, Davao on Friday.
Initial estimate of damages were placed at P3 million but may be much more, according to Davao City district Fire Marshall Supt. Honee Fritz Alagano.
The fire lasted for five hours.
Alagano said the damage were from the 350 burned structures including houses, market stalls and commercial establishments in the area.
She said the fire started at the back of Mr. Bueno’s house situated inside the mini market around 10:00 a.m. but their office received the call at 10:30.
“Naka-abot mi didto 10:47 a.m. sa atong first alarm (We reached the area at 10:47 a.m. on our first alarm),” she said.
The fire immediately spread in the area since most of the houses were made light materials. At 12:25 noon, the responding fire-fighters escalated the situation to general alarm which all resources of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the city had been utilized.
All fire trucks responding the incident, including BFP, Central 911 and Fire Volunteers went in and out of the area since the trucks immediately ran out of water.
Residents also in the area made efforts to put off the fire but still their houses were burned down.
The ship of Philippine Coast Guard also responded in the coastal area in the place putting oftf the fire near shore. Around 2:00 p.m., Alagano said the BFP declared it fire under control and the fire trucks from Panabo City Fire Station went to the area on the mapping and clearing operations.
At 3:15 p.m., the responding fire-fighters declared it as fire out. Despite the incident, the Davao City district Fire Marshall said there were no casualties reported on the incident.
