JASAAN, Misamis Oriental, (PNA) -– A fireman was injured during a two-hour fire that razed about 24 houses in the cult village of San Antonio, Jasaan in Misamis Oriental shortly before noon Sunday.
Jasaan Fire Marshall Rolando Obsioma identified the injured as Fire Officer Vlademer Bade who fell to the ground startled when the fire suddenly burst in front of him.
Obsioma said that Bade was brought to a nearby hospital in Balingasag for treatment. He suffered a minor injury and was feeling well.
He said that the Jason fire station received a fire alarm shortly before noon Sunday and Fire Officer Bade was the first to respond to the fire scene.
The fire spread quickly, gobbled up 24 houses made of light materials and rendered some 100 people, including children, homeless.
Obsioma said that no other injury was reported. Initial damaged to property was placed at P 250,000. He said fire investigators were still determining the origin and cause of the fire.
Village Chief Charlie Eugenio said that the victims would be temporarily housed at the public school there.
The coastal village of San Antonio is home of the Philippine Benevolent Missionary, a sect known as a cult whose members thrive mostly through fishing and farming.