by: Charles Nikko Limon
A residential house was destroyed by fire in Barangay Poro, San Fernando City, La Union on Sunday morning, January 5, leaving two families without shelter.
Residents were alarmed as flames quickly engulfed the house located in the Lower Banks area.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, the fire started at around 11:05 a.m. and spread rapidly due to the structure being made of concrete combined with light materials, similar to houses found along coastal areas.
Firefighters encountered difficulty responding to the incident as the fire scene was not easily accessible, requiring them to pass through sandy terrain.
The BFP said the deployment of a smaller penetrator fire truck helped reach the affected area faster.
Initial assessment by the BFP placed the fire damage at around 50,000 pesos.
Authorities said no belongings were salvaged, as the occupants usually leave early in the morning to sell banana cue at the public market.
The fire was declared out before noon. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
