ILOILO — Authorities warned that dry conditions and possible human negligence are increasing fire risks across communities following two recent separate fire incidents.
An ancestral house was completely gutted while another structure was partially damaged after a late-night fire hit Barangay Tigbauan Road in Cabatuan at around 11:18 p.m. on April 10.
The blaze escalated to second alarm, according to Senior Fire Officer 4 Jimboy Pacardo of the Cabatuan Municipal Fire Station.
“The ancestral house was totally damaged, while another house was partially damaged,” Pacardo said, noting that both structures were owned by a resident identified as “Renato.”
He explained that the fire spread rapidly due to the materials used in the ancestral home.
“The fire spread quickly because the house was made of light materials,” he said.
Authorities pegged the estimated damage at around P150,000, with some livestock, including chickens, also lost in the incident. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A day later, on April 11, a separate fire scorched about one hectare of vacant grassland in Barangay Bitaog, Taytay, Sta. Barbara at around 2:46 p.m., underscoring the dangers posed by extreme heat and dry vegetation.
Fire Officer 1 Joleto Derecho, investigator of the Sta. Barbara Municipal Fire Station, said the fire was already widespread when it was first noticed.
“When passersby noticed it, the fire was already large, making it difficult to immediately determine its origin,” Derecho said.
He noted that the fire spread quickly due to dry conditions and extreme heat.
“Because the grass was extremely dry and the weather was very hot, the fire spread rapidly,” he explained.
While no homes were affected as the area was far from residential zones, authorities are probing possible human involvement.
“Since the area is along the roadside and frequented by motorists, we are considering the possibility that someone may have thrown a cigarette butt,” Derecho added.
No residents claimed responsibility during the investigation. The fire was placed under control at around 4:40 p.m.
Fire authorities renewed their call for vigilance, stressing that even minor acts of negligence can trigger destructive fires, especially under hot and dry conditions.
Both Pacardo and Derecho emphasized that simple acts such as improper disposal of cigarette butts or unattended flammable materials can quickly lead to fires.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing./PN
