Blaze destroys 10 houses, displaces 27 families in Baguio City; Fire may have started from 'unattended rice cooking'

Baguio City, Philippines - A total of 27 families or 117 individuals were displaced following a fire that broke out at Purok 6, Barangay Gibraltar, Baguio City on Monday morning, July 14.

A total of 10 residential houses were destroyed by the fire, reportedly originating from the residence of Mr. Rodolfo Soriano, according to the Baguio City Public Information Office (BCPIO). Initial reports say the fire may have been started due to 'unattended rice cooking'.

The said fire was reportedly declared under control and fully extinguished at around 10:20 a.m., more than an hour before it broke out around 9:00 a.m.

Currently, most of the displaced families chose to stay with relatives, while some of them were accommodated at the Gibraltar Evacuation Center. 

Meantime, Mayor Benjamin Magalong, according to BCPIO, visited the site to check on the victims' situation and oversee the delivery of assistance. The office added that the Mayor also went to the place of the incident to assess the damage.

The city government, through the CSWDO, already provided cash assistance to the victims amounting to P200,000, family food packs, hygiene kits, blankets, and the provision of psychological first aid. 

Boarders and renters affected by the fire will be referred to the DSWD-Cordillera for additional assistance, which may include financial and educational support, as well as food and non-food items. 

The father of the city, in his Facebook post, thanked all those who helped extinguish the fire while assuring the victims of continued support. 

Those who responded to the incident, according to the BCPIO, included the BCFS, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Baguio City Police Station 3, DSWD, City Health Services Office, Mines View District Health Center, Baguio Water District, private water delivery companies, and even workers of the Philippine Treasure's Company.

At present, authorities are still conducting further investigations to determine the real cause of the blaze and the extent of the damage.