Fire hits Kalibo’s densely-populated area

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

A huge fire razed at least 16 houses in Kalibo, Aklan on June 30, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Kalibo said.

There are no reported casualties in a one-and half hour fire along J. Magno Street Extension and Oyo Torong Street in Barangay Bakhaw Sur.

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Kalibo chief Fire Inspector Donnie Torre said the fire hit the densely-populated area of Kalibo which broke out at 3:08 p.m. and under control at 3:40 p.m.

The fire was declared ‘fire out’ at 4:30 p.m.

Based on initial data of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), a total of 13 families left homeless are temporarily staying at the evacuation center in Kalibo Magsaysay Park in Barangay Poblacion while other families stayed with their relatives. 

BFP-Kalibo said 13 houses were totally burned and three were partially damaged by fire in its initial report.

The fire reportedly caused by a 6-year old boy playing with a lighted candle inside a boarding house. The fire quickly spread out in adjoining houses made of light materials.

Six fire trucks from BFP Kalibo and from the neighboring towns of Numancia, Tangalan, Ibajay and New Washington had a hard time getting into the residential area due to narrow roads.

Torre also denied the claims of some residents that BFP-Kalibo failed to respond quickly to the fire incident.  

“Dito sa J. Magno Extension naka-posisyon ang dalawang fire trucks ng Kalibo at ang ibang fire trucks ng New Washington at Numancia sa may Oyo Torong. Ang BFP Tangalan at Ibajay dumating din sa mapping operations,” he said in a phone interview.

Residents also helped put out the fire with the volunteers, emergency rescuers, auxiliary police and Kalibo police station personnel in the congested portion of Barangay Bakhaw Sur, few blocks away from Roxas Avenue national highway. 

Torre said investigators have yet to determine the cause of fire, but pegged the initial damage at P500,000 worth of properties.

The article was originally published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print or radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.