TACLOBAN CITY — Even as strong winds and torrential rains from Super Typhoon ‘Uwan’ battered Eastern Visayas, a massive fire broke out early Sunday, Nov.9, in Barangay Iniguihan, Bato, Leyte, destroying more than 80 houses and five commercial establishments.
According to FO1 Dave Cortez, duty investigator of the Bato Fire Station, the blaze started around 4:30 a.m. and quickly spread as powerful winds fanned the flames, complicating firefighting efforts.
“The nature of the incident is still under investigation. Thus, we cannot divulge details yet,” Cortez told Leyte Samar Daily Express in a phone interview.
He said most of the houses were made of light materials and built close to each other, while the swampy terrain in the area also made it difficult for fire trucks and personnel to maneuver.
The fire affected 106 families and gutted around 680 square meters of residential and commercial property. A total of 82 houses and five business establishments were completely destroyed.
No fatalities were reported, though one firefighter suffered eye irritation while battling the blaze. “He is now okay,” Cortez said.
All displaced families are now taking shelter in evacuation centers. The local government has extended food, clothing, and other relief assistance, while private groups and individuals have initiated donation drives for the victims.
“It’s a very unfortunate incident for the victims. They had yet to recover from Typhoon Tino, and now, aside from enduring Uwan, they also lost their homes to fire,” Cortez added.
Responding units from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bato, Matalom, Hilongos, Bontoc, Inopacan, Maasin City, Sogod, Hindang, and Baybay, along with the Hilongos municipal fire team, worked together to contain the blaze amid harsh weather conditions.
The fire was raised to third alarm at 4:40 a.m., declared under control by 6:30 a.m., and fully extinguished at 6:45 a.m. Damage was estimated at P1.6 million, according to the BFP.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
