A fire destroyed at least 57 houses in Talisay City, Province of Negros Occidental.

Strong winds led reportedly to the quick spread of the fire on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 in Purok Pasil, Barangay Zone 5.

Cornelio Manlapaz, one of the fire victims, said he was not able to gather any of his belongings, as he made sure he would be able to move to safety his differently abled child.

“Nanginig ang katawan ko sa nangyari. Wala kaming naisalba, ubos lahat,” Manlapaz said.

Another resident, identified only as “Neneng,” said that she made attempts to take out the proceeds from her store, but the flames already engulfed her house.

“Ang aming kuryente, sininghutan ko kasi parang may amoy. Nang lumabas ako, ang apoy nandiyan na,” Neneng said.

The Talisay City Fire Station confirmed that the fire razed to the ground 55 of the 57 houses.

Investigation focused tightly on the house of a certain Phoebe Pacilan where the fire started reportedly due to alleged illegal electrical connection.

“Most probably, ang pinagmulan electrical in nature. Wala silang proper connection. Electrical loss connection, umiinit ang wiring, nagresulta sa apoy,” according to SFO4 Jessie Dequilato, fire marshal of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Talisay City.

Pacilan said that she was at school when the incident happened.

“Nasa paaralan ako, hindi ko alam na mangyayari yun. Aksidente naman yun kasi nasa paaralan ako. (Bakit nagta-tap?) Kasi wala kaming kuryente,” Pacilan said.

A few individuals were reported to have sustained minor wounds.

Pets that sustained burns were also attended to.

“Nag-iikot kami kasi kahapon on shock ang mga hayop na affected. Ngayon may tini-treat kaming pusa,” Jennifer Carcero, livestock inspector, said.

The processing of financial assistance and cash-for-work program is underway, as of this writing, for the fire victims who have sought temporary shelter at the city evacuation center.