At least three houses were razed to the ground while a resident and a fireman were injured after a fire hit a residential area in Barangay Matibay, Lamitan City, Basilan on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

The fire broke out at around 6 a.m. and was raised to second alarm.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) put out the fire after nearly two hours.

After the incident, authorities found burned LPG tanks, including an oxygen tank, which were believed to have worsened the fire. These were reportedly owned by one household.

Two neighboring houses were also affected.

A 57-year-old man who owned the house where the fire allegedly started and a fireman sustained burns.

Authorities said the damage was estimated at around P750,000,

Investigators said faulty electrical wiring is being considered as possible cause.

“Under investigation pa siya ngayon pero sa initial interview doon sa mga nakakita at saka doon sa owner na sa wiring daw nila may portion sa bahay nila pinalitan or dinagdagan ang wiring tapos yun na nagkasunog,” BFP Lamitan City Fire Arson Investigator, FO2 Roel Dinglasa, said.