400 families left homeless in Zamboanga fire

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A fire destroyed more than 200 houses in Barangay Recodo in this city before dawn yesterday.

One person was injured and more than 400 families lost their homes, according to city fire marshal Chief Inspector Jacqueline Ortega.

Initial investigation showed the fire started at the house of a certain Akhad Asta.

“The cause of the fire was due to an unattended candle. The village experienced a power outage for two days because of Tropical Storm Maring,” Ortega said.

Damage due to the fire was initially estimated at P4 million.