A one-year-old baby boy died while 44 houses were razed to the ground in separate fire incidents in Cagayan de Oro City and General Santos City on Thursday, February 29, 2024, just a day before the start of Fire Prevention Month.
Police said the boy died was trapped in the house engulfed by fire in Manggahan, Balulang, Cagayan de Oro.
The fire broke out at around 1:52 p.m. and was put out at 3:50 p.m. The fire was raised to second alarm.
“Ang katong bata didto kuno naghigda2 sa second floor ingon ni Nelson Caayao mag agaw sila sa mama gi attempt kuno niya wala na naapas kay puros kahoy man mao na paso siya gamay,” Fire Station 3 Carmen Commander, SFO4 Emmanuel Paculba, said.
Investigators said around 14 houses mostly made of concrete and light materials were razed to the ground.
The 21 families affected are staying temporarily at the covered court in the barangay.
“Magpagawas kami ug allocation nga worth 20 thousand kada pamilya ug e-divert namo ug materials dili pwde nga cash amo ihatag sa ila. 20 thousand worth of construction materials,” Barangay Balulang Chairman Edwin Micabani said.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is still investigating the cause of the fire, as of this writing.
GENERAL SANTOS
Meanwhile, 44 houses were gutted by fire in Barangay Dadiangas West, General Santos City.
The fire spread quickly as most of the houses affected were made of light materials.
“Naa pud siya sa daplin sa dagat ang factor sa wind isa sa mga rason nga mukusog jud ang pag-spread sa fire.” BFP-Gensan Public Information Section Chief, SF02 Oliver Alfeche, asid.
Investigators said the fire was intentional as the suspect had a fight with his family and burned their foam.
“Base sa mga witnesses, mga statement sa mga silingan nga it was intentional. Naay domestic problem within that area. Family lang gihapon ang iyang kaaway,” Alfeche said.
The suspect reportedly admitted to the crime.
“Gi-angkon nako na nga ako’y nagsunog. Kung dili pa lang gyud unta ing-ana ang inyong pag-istorya sa akoa nga himuon ko ninyo og bungol, ungo, unsa-unsa pa akong madungog, dili ko kahimo ana pero gumikan napul-an na ko,” the suspect said.
