ILIGAN CITY — Two women died after a massive fire engulfed an eight-door apartment building in Purok 5, Barangay Pala-o, Iligan City, early Thursday, November 5, leaving seven families homeless or displaced and causing an estimated ₱900,000 in property damage.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Iligan identified the fatalities as Fatima Ramla Monteron, 26, and Cyzra Jean Nasin, 20. The two victims were reportedly trapped inside the burning apartment as flames rapidly spread through the structure, preventing them from escaping.
Their remains were later recovered by firefighters during clearing operations inside a comfort room of the apartment, according to initial incident reports.
The fire was reported to the BFP at approximately 3:07 a.m. and quickly escalated, prompting authorities to raise the alarm level to second alarm at 3:22 a.m. and third alarm at 3:24 a.m. as firefighters and volunteer fire brigades worked to contain the blaze.
The fire involved an apartment building owned by Ponggay Capal Mangurun and occupied by Emmanuel Hynson Jr. and other tenants. A nearby single-family residential structure also sustained partial damage.
The blaze was placed under control at approximately 5:08 a.m., while subsequent firefighting and clearing operations continued until the fire was declared out at 8:25 a.m.
The incident affected seven families, comprising 28 individuals, according to the BFP. One structure was completely destroyed, while another sustained partial damage. Total property losses were estimated at ₱900,000.
No other injuries were reported, and no firefighters or fire aides were listed among the casualties.
Meanwhile, the Iligan City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), through its Emergency Division, immediately extended assistance to six renter families affected by the incident at Amrah K Apartment in Empire Village, Barangay Pala-o.
Each assisted family received a five-kilogram sack of rice, six cans of assorted food, and ₱3,500 in financial assistance. The CSWDO also provided an additional ₱10,000 in assistance for each of the two fatalities.
Authorities have yet to establish the exact cause and origin of the fire, which remains subject to investigation by the BFP.
The tragedy underscores the devastating consequences of residential fires, particularly in densely occupied apartment buildings where rapidly spreading flames can leave residents with little time to escape. For the affected families, the immediate challenge now extends beyond the loss of property to finding temporary shelter and rebuilding their lives after the deadly early-morning blaze.