DAVAO CITY – Three wooden houses located in Purok Shanghai, Catalunan Grande, Davao City, were consumed by flames earlier today, shortly after noon. Firefighters battled the blaze, managing to declare it under control at 12:57 PM.
No casualties were reported.
The house, owned by Jek-Jeck Estoque, was swiftly engulfed in fire, leaving little time for any belongings to be saved. According to Lisle Estoque, Jek-Jeck’s sister-in-law, who was temporarily residing in the burned house, the fire spread alarmingly fast, leaving them no option but to escape with only the clothes on their backs.
According to SFO1 Nicanor Junior Hernandez, investigator at the Talomo Fire Station, the fire is believed to have originated from a child playing with matches. One house was entirely destroyed, while two others sustained partial damage. The estimated cost of damage is approximately 15 million pesos.
Lisle Estoque, the sister-in-law of Jek-Jeck, recounted the harrowing experience, stating that their only concern was their safety during the fire.
“We are thankful that the two children, Dante Lape and Jun Estoque, the sons of Lisle, were able to escape quickly,” said Dante Lape, a neighbor and relative who rushed to help the Estoque family.
Aside from Jek-Jeck’s house, two other neighboring houses were also affected by the fire, requiring the immediate response of firefighters from the Talomo Fire Station.