ZAMBOANGA CITY – A total of 263 families lost their homes in a fire that razed more than 200 houses in Barangay Tugbungan, this city, on Wednesday, December 27.
Zamboanga District Fire Marshall Supt. Christopher Morales said estimated damage to property has reached P1.5 million.

FIREMEN battle a blaze that razed more than 200 homes in Zamboanga City. (City Hall PIO)
The Bureau of Fire Protection is still investigating the cause of the fire by interviewing witnesses.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office said 1,016 individuals are staying at the Tugbungan Elementary School here after their houses mostly made of light materials were burned.
The city government has provided assistance such as portalets, water tanks, mattresses, blankets, and food provisions to them.
Civic groups are organizing donation drives to help the fire victims.
Fire victims will be temporarily accommodated in the school and will be transferred to an evacuation center in Barangay Cabatangan here in less than a week.