Macabalan fire razes 47 houses

Some 56 families or 244 individuals were displaced after a fire razed 47 houses at Accreation, Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City, Sunday afternoon, January 7.

The local fire bureau said the fire broke around 2:27 p.m. and was put out or declared ‘fire out' after nearly an hour or at 3:22 p.m.

City Fire Marshall Superintendent Richard Arbutante said they raised the alarm to third level to ensure more fire trucks can respond.

He said the investigation as to the cause of the fire is still on going.

"Padayon ang atong investigation. Pag walay makuha nga physical evidence moadto ta sa mga testimonies, "Arbutante said.

Arbutante said most of the affected houses are made of light materials and the terrain of the area is difficult for the fire fighters to penetrate.

He said around 13 fire trucks including from the private volunteers came to help.

"Duol sa dagat unya kasagara made of light materials ang mga balay unya lisod ang dalan sudlon kay daghan pa mga sikad nga tabok-tabok,"Arbutante said.

But, though the fire spread rapidly to the neighboring houses, Arbutante said fire fighters exerted their best efforts to stop the fire promptly.

"Gi-raise nato sa 3rd alarm para paniguro nga sufficient ang number of fire trucks nga makaresponde and considering nga ang area is highly combustible,"Arbutante added.

The City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) office has already extended assistance and immediate help to the fire victims.