Around 500 Houses Damaged as Third-Alarm Fire Hits Barangay Tugbungan in Zamboanga City
About 1,000 families were affected after a fire swept through a residential area in Bagong Dalan, Barangay Tugbungan, Zamboanga City on Sunday night, November 1, as many Filipinos were observing All Saints’ Day.
Based on information from the City Government of Zamboanga, the blaze damaged around 500 houses, GMA News Online reported. Tugbungan Barangay Chairman Ramon Saavedra said through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) that the fire started at around 8 p.m.
The fire was raised to the third alarm. The City Fire Department said it was placed under control at 9:57 p.m., although firefighting operations were reportedly still ongoing for some time after that, according to DZRH News.
A report from NET25 News said the fire broke out near the boundary of Barangay Tugbungan and Talon-Talon Loop.
Mayor Khymer Olaso led the city’s emergency response and mobilized resources to make sure that immediate help was available for the affected residents. District 2 Congressman Jerry Perez, Councilor Joel Esteban, City Administrator Percival Ramos, and Barangay Chairman Saavedra together with members of the barangay council were also at the scene.
“Assessment and profiling are underway and is led by the City Social Welfare and Development in collaboration with the barangay council,” the city government said.
No casualties were mentioned in the initial reports. Authorities are still investigating to determine what caused the fire and the total cost of the damage.
