At least 250 families were left homeless when a fire gutted at least 200 houses at Sitio Pantalan, Barangay Miranda, Babak District, this island city around 10:30 Sunday evening.
Samal fire investigators said the fire started at the residence of a certain Nelson Ruelan when the house owner forgot to put off a candle which was placed on a plastic cabinet as they sleep.
Ruelan used candle when their electric connection from the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (Daneco) was cut off for months now, probers said.
When the Ruelan couple rose from sleep, their dwelling was already on fire, prompting them to run outside but their neighbors said they never heard the couple shouted for help and warned them of the fire.
The area where the incident happened was also due for demolition months ago but the residents refused to leave the area.
Fire investigators placed the damage to P2-million.
Samal fire protection office operates only only one “dilapidated†fire truck and one mini-fire truck which was bought by the city government for P3 million during the administration of then Mayor Rogelio Antalan.
Several fire trucks from Davao City, including those from 911 and Filipino-Chinese volunteers crossed the sea with barge and help in controlling the fire.
The fire lasted for more than five hours before it was controlled.
Mayor Aniano Antalan vowed to give fire victims P10,000 as financial assistance.
The fire victims are temporarily housed at Angel Villarica Central Elementary School, also in Babak District. (PNA) RMA/Jessie L. Casalda/lvp
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