KIDAPAWAN CITY — A fire of still unknown origin gutted down at least 20 homes and boarding houses in Barangay Poblacion here, less than 24 hours after an earlier fire razed 12 homes in the same barangay, fire officials said.
The latest fire to hit this quake-affected city came at Datu Ingkal Street at 1 a.m. Saturday, several hours after a fire engulfed roadside business establishments and boarding houses in front of Notre Dame of Kidapawan College in Barangay Poblacion at about 5 a.m. Friday.
At least 20 homes, including boarding houses and business establishments, were razed to the ground when the fire broke out at 1 a.m., which allegedly started at the Arances boarding house, Kidapawan City Fire Marshall Capt. Marjorie Resurreccion said.
“The fire quickly spread to adjacent homes made of light materials,” Resurreccion said of Saturday’s fire at Purok Nursery Phase 1 in Barangay Poblacion.
The fire was only a few meters away from a residential and commercial area in front of the Notre Dame of Kidapawan College that was razed by a 5 a.m. fire on Friday.
Quoting witnesses, Resurreccion, said parked motorcycles were also hit by the fire and their gasoline had added to the conflagration.
“Twelve homes, boarding houses, roadside stores, and eateries were destroyed by a fire that struck before dawn Friday,” she added.
Resurreccion said they were still investigating whether the two fires were connected to the series of quakes that hit the city and the province recently.
On November 13, at least six homes were also destroyed in a fire along Perez Street here. -PNA