At least nine houses, as well as several other structures, were razed by fire in Barangay 20, Cagayan de Oro on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the structures affected were made of light materials and surrounded by establishments.

A fire victim who owns a boarding house said he heard a loud explosion before the fire broke out.

“Aso pa, kusog kaayo ang aso murag ang sunog didto sa luyo nag una nga portion wala pa ang atubang sa amoa ba tingala na lang mi kay paspas kaayo ang kalayo," Dante Diaz, said.

Firefighters had a hard time penetrating the area because of the narrow road.

One resident was reported hurt after he was hit by falling debris.

“Nakatala siya ug 2nd degree burn sa both shoulders niya then naa pud siya blisters sa left na arm,” Cagayan de Oro Fire District Chief of Operations, Fire Senior Inspector Kyle Bryan Lauzon, said.

Aside from the houses, other structures like eateries, pharmacies, and sari-sari stores were also affected.

Damage was pegged at around P23 million.

Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the cause of the fire, as of this writing.

Before the fire was put out, another fire broke out at an establishment in Barangay 9.

Investigators said an air-conditioning unit and a water pump that allegedly overheated may have caused the fire.

The fire was put out immediately by the management. However, two firemen were reportedly electrocuted but were attended to right away.