It started at around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. The neighborhood woke up to a raging fire that was spreading from house to house in one small block. They managed to escape unhurt, but they were forced to watch all their belongings go up in smoke.

Hours after the fire, NEMO Minister Edmond Castro and Area Rep Manuel Heredia Jr., showed up to do a damage assessment, since a block fire is treated as a natural disaster. This evening, Castro confirmed with us that the relief packages that his ministry prepared have already arrived for those 10 families who lost everything. NEMO was out on the island today distributing packages including mattresses, a small table top stove, a gas tank, bedding, hygiene kits, and food packs.

He made it clear that the Government's assistance to the victims cannot include any kind of rebuilding of their homes for them.

But, the 87 San Pedro residents are not completely on their own. Castro said that NEMO will continue to try and provide them temporary relief, which may continue on a needs basis. If some of the fire victims need more help for a longer period than NEMO can manage, they will be directed to the Department of Human Services, where that Government department can take over.

The San Pedro community - which is known for its community spirit - is also helping mightily.

Investigators have determined that the fire started due to arson.