Huge fire hits Isabela City; fire volunteer dies

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A fire volunteer died while responding to a fire incident that razed more than 30 houses and business establishments in Isabela City, Basilan province on Wednesday morning.

City police chief Superintendent Albert Larubis identified the victim as Rolando Lim, a fire volunteer of the UECI Fire Brigade.

Lim and several other firemen rushed to Barangay Kaumpurna, Zone 1 after broke out at around 9:30 a.m.

Larubis said that according to initial reports, Lim collapsed while pulling a fire hose. The fire volunteer succumbed to cardiac arrest at the Infante Hospital.

Meanwhile, firefighters battled the huge fire for about an hour and a half.

The fire razed a total of 18 houses and 15 business establishments.

Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire.