DASMARIŇAS CITY, Cavite—A huge fire engulfed an entire sanitary compound in Barangay Sta. Lucia in this city on Saturday, destroying 222 houses and leaving 700 families homeless.
Chief Inspector Bernard Rosete, Bureau of Fire Protection-Dasmariñas City Fire Marshal, said more than 11 fire trucks responded to put out the blaze that started around 3 a.m. and was declared fire out by 6:30 a.m.
No casualty was reported according to Rosete, although two persons identified as Rommel Santos and Bernardo Coreche suffered slight wounds and minor burns.
Rosete also said the houses were mostly made of light materials. Neighbors said the fire might have started in a house of an old woman who left a lighted kerosene lamp unattended.
BFP firefighters are still evaluating the damage of the fire.
Rose Abuan, Dasmariñas City social welfare officer, said most of the residents in the compound are informal settlers for 11 years, mostly Muslim.
The victims are now temporarily housed at the Sta. Lucia covered court here and provided with food, water, blankets and other relief assistance.
Abuan also said the other fire victims might be relocated to nearby covered courts to avoid congestion in the Sta. Lucia evacuation center.
Dasmariñas City Mayor Elpidio Barzaga said the city government would build small temporary houses for the fire victims within three days.
He also ordered for the provision of six portable toilets to the temporary relocation site.