MANILA -- Fire broke out at a residential area in Barangay Santa Barbara, Zamboanga City on Tuesday afternoon, the local government said.
In its Twitter account, the city government of Zamboanga said the fire, which has yet to be put out, is razing about five houses in the village.
The blaze started at around 2 p.m.
The incident comes amid the ongoing firefight between government troops and members of the Nur Misuari-led faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Four firetrucks have already responded. However, they were not yet allowed to enter the village.
Firefighters are still waiting for the clearance of the military, as snipers from the MNLF are present in the area.
Authorities have yet to confirm if the fire was caused by the MNLF rebels.
Meanwhile, the military assured that no civilians will be caught in the crossfire since no residents are being held hostage in the area. -- With report from RJ Rosalado, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga