ZAMBOANGA CITY – A media personality and a city hall worker died in a fire that razed 10 houses here early Tuesday morning, September 10.

The victims were identified as Adolfo Vicente Jr., a job order worker of the Zamboanga City Hall, and Allen Abastillas, a veteran journalist and columnist of the Daily Zamboanga Times.
The fire reportedly started from the house of Aminkadra Pula and spread to homes owned by Lydia Santiago, Adolfo Vicente, Antonio Bariño, Juliet Provadera, Lily Cambonga, Emilio Tuban, and a certain Tubad.
Susie Vicente, a resident, said the fatalities were initially able to escape the flames but went back to retrieve their belongings. They never made it out.
Several vehicles, including motorcycles and a Sports Utility Vehicle, were damaged.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office is conducting tagging and assessment of fire victims for assistance by the city government.
Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.