ILOILO – A mid-morning blaze that tore through a densely packed neighborhood in Barangay Poblacion South, Oton town on Sunday, November 9, displaced 13 families and exposed the continuing dangers faced by residents living in congested settlements.
The fire, which started around 9:32 a.m., spread rapidly among closely built houses before firefighters could contain it at 10:17 a.m.
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Oton Fire Inspector Rodel Balindua said the responders encountered multiple obstacles in reaching the site.
“Strong winds and the narrow pathways in the affected area made it difficult for us to respond quickly,” Balindua said. “We had to work carefully to prevent the fire from spreading further and to ensure the safety of both our personnel and the residents.”
A total of 61 individuals lost their homes, many of them left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
Authorities said the incident highlights the urgent need to strengthen fire safety measures and urban planning in communities where homes are tightly clustered.
Balindua said investigators are still determining the cause of the blaze.
“We are currently determining the possible origin of the fire. We encourage residents to remain vigilant and report any hazards in their homes,” he added.
Meanwhile, the municipal government of Oton has started extending assistance to the displaced families, including temporary shelter and essential supplies while investigation and damage assessment continue./PN