BORACAY, Philippines (Updated) – Ten people sustained injuries in a Christmas eve, December 24, fire in Boracay Island that left up to 60 families including dozens of children homeless.
The fire that started at Sitio Ambulong in Barangay Manoc-Manoc at around 10:45 am Thursday quickly swept through the main road and through the two-hectare property near the Muslim community compound, a dense residential area.
Fire trucks of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Special Fire Protection Unit Boracay and volunteer fire brigade groups were quick to respond but the fire was only controlled at 1:05 p.m. Houses made of light materials were totally destroyed.
The fire damaged approximately P10 million worth of properties. Establishments Alevir’s Trading and Sespene Trading, both located on the main road, were also gutted by the fire.
When the fire broke out, traffic in the main road was re-routed by the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) to the circumferential road. The fire also interrupted power service on Boracay Island.
Families displaced by the Ambulong fire will be staying at the Manoc-Manoc evacuation center. Some residents also returned to the Ambulong area after the fire and tried to salvage their belongings.
Last June 17, damage to property in the Talipapa Bukid fire incident was estimated at P48 million. The fire gutted 400 market stalls and boarding houses and left homeless more than 800 victims. – Rappler.com