Massive fire hits Leyte village amid storm
TACLOBAN CITY—Even as strong winds and heavy rains from Supertyphoon “Uwan” (international name: Fung-wong) pounded Eastern Visayas, a massive fire destroyed more than 80 homes in a village in Leyte province before dawn on Sunday.
A fireman sustained an eye injury due to irritation from the blaze that razed 82 houses and five commercial establishments in Barangay Iniguihan, Bato town.
The cause of the fire was still being investigated at press time, said Bato fire officer 1 Dave Cortez.
“It was a very unfortunate incident for the victims. They had yet to recover from Typhoon ‘Tino’ (Kalmaegi), and now, aside from enduring Typhoon ‘Uwan,’ they also lost their homes to fire,” Cortez said.
He said “The houses, many of which were made of light materials, were built close to each other. The area is also swampy, which added to the challenge [of putting out the fire].”
Donation drive
The fire damaged P1.6 million worth of property and displaced 106 families, for whom a donation drive has been launched by individuals and groups.
The families are currently staying in evacuation centers in the town. The local government has provided them food, clothing and other essentials.
The fire broke out at around 4:30 a.m. and spread quickly as strong winds from Uwan fanned the flames, raging for two hours before it was put out, Cortez said.
Firemen from Bato, Matalom, Hilongos, Bontoc, Inopacan, Maasin City, Sogod, Hindang, Baybay and Hilongos joined forces to contain the blaze amid the typhoon’s strong winds and heavy rain. The fire was declared under control at 6:30 a.m. and fully extinguished by 6:45 a.m., according to authorities.
