Families affected by the fire that gutted six houses in Mandurriao district early morning of Saturday are appealing for more assistance.

Brgy. Captain Manuel Militar of Taft North Mandurriao said that though some concerned residents already extended help to the affected families, the victims still need additional assistance like food, cooking utensils and bedding.

Militar said that the City Social Welfare and Development Office distributed some used clothing and food for the families that are temporarily staying at their Barangay Hall and Day Care Center.

Initial investigation of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Iloilo City revealed that the fire damaged about P250,000 worth of properties.

The cause of fire is still under investigation.

Destroyed were houses owned by Felix Barrientos, Henry Amargo, Roderick Caseres and Paciano Provido while partially burned were houses of Reynaldo Dorado and Restituta Sadia were partially burned.

Four persons also suffered from minor injuries during the incident.

Caseres and his wife Maria were confined in the Western Visayas Medical Center after sustaining first-degree burns after they tried to save some of their personal belongings.

Mikael Ynsierto and Paulina Sadia also sustained minor injuries.

Some residents said that the delayed response of the BFP resulted to the spread of fire.

BFP officials meanwhile refused to give their comment on the issue since the investigator for the incident is not yet on duty.*