73 families homeless in Philex fire; P70 M lost

TUBA, Benguet — Some P70 million worth of mine and private properties turned into ashes during a four-hour fire that gutted 15 structures inside the Philex Mining Corp. here at Sitio Padcal, Camp 3 Wednesday.

The burned properties included eight bank houses, five cottages of the company and two private cottages located within the mine camp.

Eduardo Aratas, chief of Philex’s legal division, disclosed that 73 families comprising some 450 individuals, mostly employees of the company, were rendered homeless by the fire.

He said they were already provided temporary relocation as well as relief assistance. Philex authorities didn’t disclose the cause of the fire at press time.

The fire was considered the biggest in this mining town which was one of the earliest mines in the country established by the Americans. -- Dexter See