TUBA, Benguet – An individual died while P10 million worth of properties were torched into ashes during a five-hour fire that gutted some twenty six structures at Riverside, Camp 6, here, shortly after New Year.
Fire officers said that the fatality is a resident of the place and was already turned over to his relatives while some 36 families composed of more than 155 individuals were rendered homeless after the said fire incident.
Initial arson investigation showed that the fire started in an abandoned structure made of light materials at around P1:20 am and immediately razed other nearby structures.
The fire was declared under control at around 4:29 am and subsequently declared fire out at around 6:30 am.
Firefighters from the various fire stations in neighboring local governments joined forces to contain the fire to prevent the same from further gutting other structures in the area.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation as arson investigators are still in the area conducting the routine investigation of the said incident.
Local officials are appealing to kindhearted individuals for donations that will be used to extend the needed assistance to the victims aside from those that will be provided by the concerned government agencies.
By Dexter A. See
