A fire that broke out Wednesday evening in Barangay Canlapwas, Catbalogan City, Samar, claimed the life of a government worker and left more than 200 residents homeless, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported.
The blaze, which started around 5:30 p.m. in Purok 3, was traced to faulty electrical wiring that ignited the roofing of a house owned by Rizalda Magallanes. Made of light materials, the house quickly went up in flames, with the fire spreading rapidly to nearby residences, investigators said.
Firefighters from the Catbalogan City Fire Station, backed by fire volunteers, police personnel, and reinforcements from neighboring towns such as Paranas, battled the fire for nearly four hours. The incident, which was raised to second alarm, was declared under control at 7:20 p.m. and fully extinguished at around 9:23 p.m.
The blaze claimed the life of Reynold Muñez, 30, an employee of the Samar provincial capitol. According to authorities, Muñez ran back inside their burning house, believing his family was still trapped inside. His relatives, however, had already evacuated. His body was recovered after the fire was declared out.
BFP reported that 23 houses were destroyed while three others sustained partial damage. The incident displaced 50 families or about 208 individuals, with property losses initially estimated at P2 million.
The affected families are currently taking shelter at a church in the village and at their barangay hall.
The Catbalogan City government, under Mayor Dexter Uy, has extended relief assistance to the fire victims.