Up to 38 houses were razed by a fire that hit a community in Cagayan de Oro City. Authorities said an appliance that was left on may have caused the blaze. 

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said damage to property reached around P18 million.

“Nag-invite mi sa mga witnesses for significant information nga makatabang sa ato para makahibalo kung unsay cause sa kalayo,” Lapasan-BFP Station Commander, SFO3 Imelda Barazan, said.

Investigators said the fire broke out in San Lazaro, Barangay Lapasan past 10 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024, and spread quickly as most of the houses were made of light materials. The wind was also strong at that time. 

Authorities said 38 houses were destroyed while three others were damaged. Sixty-three families were displaced.

“Natulog nami ato nga time may gani kay saba sa gawas mga silingan namo nag singgita mao to gikuha namo diretso among mga anak mao ra gyud amo nakuha kay medyo na taranta nami ba,” one of the fire victims, Joanne Cabatuan, said.

Authorities reminded the public to unplug appliances when not in use.

“Kana atong mga heat source sa electrical dapat wala na siya duol o abay sa combustible material sama sa katre, curtains, sofa,” Barazan said.