500 families left homeless in Basilan fire

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — More than 200 houses were destroyed in a fire that hit a residential area in Isabela, Basilan yesterday.

The fire broke out in Barangay Kampurna Zone 1 at past 9 a.m., Isabela police chief Lt. Col. Julpikar Sitin said.

There was no reported casualty in the fire, which was declared out after two hours.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman mobilized local government support to provide relief assistance to affected families who took shelter at the Basilan National High School.