CITY OF MATI—Authorities have expressed their grief over the hours-long blaze that engulfed a community in Purok Masagana 9 Andravel, Barangay Central, City of Mati last night.

Three people were killed, all them children. They were identified as siblings 10-year-old Ahmily Earl Halipa and 3-year-old Chris Herish Halipa, and their cousin Alicia Denise Halipa, 8.

Some 50 families have lost their homes when the blaze swept through their area at around 11:30 yesterday evening. The Bureau of Fire Protection declared “fire out” at around 3:20 this morning, February 9.

City Fire Marshall SINSP Christian Cena of the Bureau of Fire Protection said that based on their initial investigation, the cause of fire was due to “electrical ignition caused by pinched wire”.  The estimated cost of damage is initially pegged at P 1.5 million.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, who visited the evacuees earlier this morning, expressed his deep sorrow over the incident that claimed the lives of the three children and rendered scores of others homeless.

Aside from distributing food packs, clothing, blankets, and toiletries to the victims, the Governor also gave P3,000 emergency cash assistance to the families housed at the evacuation center.

The Provincial Government is coordinating with the City Government of Mati headed by Mayor Carlo Rabat for assistance and interventions to help victims recover from their losses.

Aside from the Provincial Government and City Government of Mati, emergency aid has also poured in for the victims coming from private businesses and individuals. Relief goods, water, blankets, and medicines are among those that were donated.

The City Government of Mati is working closely with Barangay Central and other agencies to ensure the safety, health and sanitation at the evacuation center, considering that most of the evacuees are children.

The Governor thanked the responders and volunteers that include the BFP, PEEMART Rescue Group, the Provincial Engineering Office, PNP, Philippine Army, the reserve force, and the City and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, among others for their prompt action.

Meanwhile Fire Marshall SINSP Cena called on the residents of the city and the province to wield necessary precautions against fires so that incidents like this will be prevented. He also asked people, especially the bystanders, to cooperate with the authorities during emergency cases so that quick interventions will not be hampered. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan