By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY — Hundreds of people were left homeless after a huge fire gutted down around 150 houses at Purok 2 and 3, Isla Verde, Barangay 23-C in Davao City on August 16.
Bureau of Fire Protection Davao City Fire District Chief of Operations Esequil Tabon said the number can still go higher, as the investigation is not yet done. He said the incident took place in a residential area at around 11:21 a.m. Friday.
Tabon said the fire reached fourth alarm status. He added that the fire started at the second floor of the house owned by a couple known as Layla and King Elasio.
Firefighters were able to control the fire at around 1:37 p.m. As of the moment, overhauling operation in the area is already being conducted.
No casualty was reported. The damage was initially pegged at P2,625,000. Tabon, however, said the amount could go up.
The Davao City Social Service and Development Office (CSSDO), on the other hand, has started to gather the list of displaced victims to determine the number of affected residents.