ZAMBOANGA CITY, 25 March 2006 — A fire swept through six hectares of residential homes in the port city of Zamboanga in the southern Philippines late Thursday, leaving thousands of people homeless.
Police said there were no deaths but dozens of people fleeing the 6-hour fire were hurt when a stampede broke out.
Local fire chief Janice Espero said the fire started before 7 p.m. and it was placed under control at around 1 a.m. Friday after razing more than 1,500 houses.
Espero said strong winds helped fan the fire that spread from one city block to another, and narrow roads and alleys and low water pressure from hydrants aggravated the problem.
Officials said the fire was the worst to hit the key southern port city in decades.
“It was an inferno,” said city Mayor Celso Lobregat, who declared the fire area under a state of calamity.
Local politicians and church leaders appealed on television and radio stations for food and water for the evacuees, now housed in temporary shelters in government buildings and schools. One of those who quickly responded was the Jolo-based Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo, Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun.
Pulalun is set to hand over to welfare authorities the relief goods he collected from wealthy Muslims and supporters.
“We were moved by the fate of those whose houses were destroyed by the fire and the appeal for food and relief goods. The Muslim people are one with our brothers in Zamboanga and we will help the fire victims,” Pulalun said.
