At least 18 families were displaced after a fire hit a residential area in Barangay Salaysay, Davao City on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

The fire broke out around 4 p.m.

Residents tried to douse the flames with water, but the fire spread quickly.

Authorities said 14 houses were affected.

“Pastang laina sa buot, wala gyuy bisan usa ka sanina na-rescue. Akong anak nga dapat karong Lunes mueskwela kay college man, akong kwarta nga gitigum para sa iyang eskwela naapil. P12,000 allowance to niya ug pampalit unta to niya sa gamit niya ba,” a resident affected, Editha Dinggal, said.

Some residents affected resorted to selling scrap metal from the debris to earn money.

The families displaced are staying temporarily at the barangay gymnasium.

The fire reportedly started when electricity was restored in the afternoon.

“Pagbalik siguro sa kuryente, mao tong nibuto ang breaker, nibuto kadtong iyahang gasul… didto ang hinungdan sa sunog,” Barangay Salaysay Chairman Roberto Itdang said.

The Davao City Social Welfare and Development Office has begun profiling the residents affected while the City Health Office deployed personnel to the evacuation center for medical checkup.

“Unang-una, pinaka-importante nila sa pagkakaron sama aning mga kaldero, mga plato, mga sinina ug uban pang panginahanglan kay wala gayuy nabilin nga mga gamit nila. Syempre sa labing madaling panahon makabalik sila og balay diha sa ilang pwesto,” Itdang said.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.