ACTING Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte III (left) serves food to fire victims on Thursday.
DAVAO CITY – Hundreds of families were displaced and 400 houses were razed in a fire in coastal Barangay 21-C here on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 2.
Barangay Chairman Joenard Gabrillo, in a report to the Office of the Vice Mayor, said validation is ongoing to determine exact number of affected persons.
Initial estimates showed that the fire that reached the fourth alarm displaced about 1,000 individuals since the area hosts dozens of boarding houses.
Displaced residents said the fire quickly spread as most of the cramped houses were made of light materials.
They added that strong winds may have also aggravated the fire.
Arson investigators said the fire that started at 4:43 p.m. affected at least 6,000-square meters.
Fire out was declared at 7:27 p.m.
Also known as Piapi Boulevard, the area was also hit by a massive fire in February 2023.
Acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte III brought boxes of food and water for fire victims sheltered in a nearby gymnasium.
Duterte assured victims that the city government will provide relief and financial assistance.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office deployed modular tents and provided hot meals for them.