Several houses and stores were razed to the ground in separate fire incidents in General Santos City and Maguindanao del Norte.

In General Santos City, at least 10 families were displaced after a fire broke out in Barangay Bula dawn on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Firefighters put the fire out after nearly an hour.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), at least five houses were affected.

One of the residents affected was Jocelyn Garcia. She said only her child’s notebook was saved from their burning home.

“Wala gyud laing nakuha, dali dali  migawas kay naa gyud sa duol (ang kalayo),” Garcia said.

Some residents said the fire started at a boarding house and may have been intentional.

“Katung pagkasunuga tu gituyo tu pero dili makita na ang tao kay nidagan man…murag gibutangan og gasoline,” affected resident, Federico Navarro, said.

“Kinsa gyud ng tawhana maimbetahan natu kung unsa iyahang  plano,” Purok Chairman, Jones Torres, added.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has already conducted profiling for possible assistance.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, eight stores at Parang Public Market in Barangay Poblacion 2, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte were consumed by fire.

The fire was put out after three hours.

Grocery items, plastic products, cooking oil, and medicines were among the goods lost in the blaze.

The cost of damage reached around P1.8 million.

Authorities said the fire may have been caused by electrical issues.

“Ongoing pa ang ating thorough investigation, but may initial kaming nakalap sa mga witnesses doon na maaaring sa wiring kasi nangyari ito ng madaling araw and then pagdating sa area, naka-padlock pa yung kung saan nagmula ang sunog,” BFP-Parang Deputy Fire Marshal, SFO3 Gil Meloria, said.

Authorities are now assisting the eight stall owners affected.