BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur — Forty-five residential houses were destroyed or damaged after a massive fire swept through Purok 6, Maraville District in Barangay Tabon, Bislig City, on Thursday afternoon, August 6, leaving dozens of families displaced and facing the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.
The fire, which broke out at around 4:22 p.m., rapidly intensified and had already reached a fully developed stage by the time firefighters arrived, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)–Bislig City Central Fire Station.
Because of the intensity and rapid spread of the blaze, authorities raised the response to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Alarm, prompting the deployment of additional firefighting resources from neighboring fire stations in Hinatuan and Lingig.
Firefighters battled the flames continuously to prevent the blaze from spreading farther into the residential community, where closely situated houses increased the risk of further destruction.
After more than an hour of sustained firefighting operations, the BFP declared the fire Fire Under Control at 5:50 p.m. The incident was finally declared Fire Out at 6:50 p.m.
40 Houses Totally Destroyed
An initial assessment by the BFP showed that 45 residential houses were affected by the fire.
Of these, 40 houses were totally destroyed, while another five sustained partial damage.
The BFP placed the preliminary value of property damage at approximately ₱3 million, although the figure could still change as authorities conduct a more comprehensive assessment of the affected area.
The destruction has left affected families confronting immediate concerns involving shelter, food, clothing, household necessities and other basic needs as they recover from the incident.
The fire also underscores the vulnerability of densely populated residential communities, where a blaze can rapidly move from one structure to another and overwhelm initial firefighting efforts.
Cause of Fire Still Under Investigation
As of the latest assessment, authorities have yet to determine what caused the fire.
The BFP continues to investigate the incident to establish the origin and circumstances surrounding the blaze.
Officials are expected to examine the affected structures and gather information from residents and witnesses as part of the investigation. A definitive cause has not yet been released.
City Government Mobilizes Assistance
Following the incident, the City Government of Bislig immediately began monitoring the situation and coordinating assistance for the families affected by the fire.
The local government, through concerned offices and response agencies, is working to assess the needs of the displaced residents and ensure that appropriate assistance reaches them as quickly as possible.
The continuing response is focused not only on the immediate emergency but also on helping affected families cope with the aftermath of the destruction.
For residents who lost their homes entirely, the challenge now extends beyond the extinguishing of the flames. They must begin recovering essential belongings, securing temporary shelter and rebuilding their lives after losing much of what they owned.
The city government said it would continue monitoring the situation while assessment and relief efforts remain underway.
With 40 homes completely destroyed and five others damaged, the August 6 fire stands as a major residential fire incident in Bislig City, prompting an ongoing government response as authorities work to determine its cause and address the urgent needs of the affected families.