At least 15 families were displaced after a man allegedly set his house on fire in Barangay Talomo Proper, Davao City.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire spread quickly as the houses were made of light materials. Eight houses were razed to the ground while four others were damaged.

“Sa karon, estimated nila, naa sa P100,000 for the sum of those damages,” BFP-Talomo Station Commander, SFO3 Rodelle Estolloso, said.

Authorities are looking into arson as possible cause of the fire.

Police said the owner of the house where the fire started reportedly had a misunderstanding with his neighbors and had problems with his wife.

“Naa daw ni siyay misunderstanding sa iyahang mga silingan, no. Mao to nga nagpalit siya ug gasolina. Ang kuyog niya, gikuyog ba jud niya ang iyang anak nga otso anyos sa pagpalit sa gasolina. Ang iyahang anak, wala idea nga gamiton diay to sa iyang anak pangsunog og gasoline,” Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Spokesperson, Captain Hazel Tuazon, said.

The suspect who allegedly tried to flee after setting his house on fire was arrested immediately. It was allegedly not the first time he has set the house on fire.

The suspect refused to give a statement and called on his family to take in his eight-year-old child. He is now detained and will face arson charges.

Fire victims are taking shelter temporarily at the barangay gymnasium and they were provided with immediate assistance by the barangay.

“Diri sila temporary, butangan og tent. May food packs. The same time ang barangay mag-allocate kung unsa ang ilang kailangan,” Barangay Councilman Joel Juegos said.

Meanwhile, a fire hit of the oldest hotels in Cagayan de Oro at past 5 a.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

A security guard and a guest were reportedly hurt in the incident. The 21 other guests are safe.

It took more than an hour before firefighters put the fire out completely.

Damage was pegged at around P900,000.

Investigators are still looking into the cause of the fire.

(With reports from Cyril Chaves, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)