A total 26 houses were razed in a fire that hit Zone 3, Barangay Calumpang, Molo district, Iloilo City on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-6), 23 of the affected houses were totally burned and three were partially damaged.

The blaze displaced 37 families or 147 individuals, data from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) showed.

They are currently staying at the designated evacuation center of the village. More than 1,500 sacks of rice and 2,000 canned goods were initially distributed to them.

SFO1 Jake Ronald Solis, fire investigator of BFP-6, said the fire, which broke out at around 2:20 p.m., caused some P350,000 in damage to property.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but Solis said they were looking into the possibility of faulty electrical wiring or unattended cooking.IMT