Roxas City fire kills 2 senior citizens, razes over 150 houses

Two senior citizens died and numerous houses were razed in a fire that hit a residential area on Rizal Street, Barangay 7, Roxas City, Capiz on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 27.

“Ginakasubo ko gid ipahibalo nga bangud sa sunog duha gid ka kasimanwa naton nga senior citizens ang nadulaan sang kabuhi,” City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas said in a Facebook post.

The fatalities were identified as Nestor Clarito, 67, and Anita Villaruz, 66. They were reportedly trapped in their houses.

The massive fire, which reached the third alarm, gutted at least 150 houses.

“Gin-ubos gid tupok sang sunog ang puluy-an sang ginatos ka pumuluyo. Halos tanan sa ila wala gid sang may nasalbar nga pagkabutang bangud sa madasig nga pag-ibwal sang kalayo,” said Dadivas.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-Roxas City), the blaze quickly spread because the houses were mostly made of light materials and stood close to each other.

The fire broke out at 1:35 p.m. and lasted for more than an hour.

BFP is still investigating to determine the cause of the fire and the estimated cost of property damage.IMT