About 1,000 families lost their homes after a massive fire hit Bagong Dalan, Barangay Tugbungan, Zamboanga City, on Sunday night, November 1, during the observance of All Saints’ Day.
The City Government of Zamboanga reported that the fire gutted around 500 houses.
The blaze broke out at around 8 p.m. and reached the third alarm before it was placed under control at 9:57 p.m., according to the Barangay Tugbungan Chairperson Ramon Saavedra through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
The City Fire Department reported that the blaze was placed under control at 9:57 p.m., although firefighting operations were still ongoing as of posting time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Mayor Khymer Olaso personally led the city's emergency response and mobilized resources to provide immediate assistance to the affected residents.
Also present at the scene to help facilitate the response were District 2 Congressman Jerry Perez, Councilor Joel Esteban, City Administrator Percival Ramos, Kaiser Olaso, Barangay Chairperson Saavedra and members of the barangay council, and Executive Assistant Eddie Saavedra.
"Assessment and profiling are underway and is led by the City Social Welfare and Development in collaboration with the barangay council," the local government said.
