500 houses razed in Sulu fire

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least 500 houses were razed in fire that broke Sunday in a downtown village in Jolo, capital town of Sulu, according to authorities.

Mayor Hussin Amin said an initial 886 families were displaced by the fire and they expect the number of affected families to increase.

He said no one was reported hurt or injured during the two-hour blaze.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said based on the reports on the ground the fire started about 2:15 p.m. at Serantes Public Market in Barangay Walled City.

He said the fire quickly spread to the adjacent residential area of Barangay Chinese Pier and engulfed hundreds of houses mixed with semi-concrete to light materials.

Arroajado said personnel from the Jolo Bureau of Fire Protection, local police, Provincial Public Safety Company, Special Action Force and Air Transportation Office responded with the residents in putting out the fire.

The fire was contained and put out two hours later.

Amin said the authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire and its estimated damage to the properties.