ILOILO City — A fast-moving fire swept through a block in Zone 8, Barangay Veterans Village, City Proper district late Tuesday night, September 1, destroying five residential structures, partially damaging four others, and displacing 13 families consisting of 40 individuals.
Data released by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Iloilo City as of 3 p.m. on September 2 showed that the blaze affected properties owned by Eleonor Gubac, Teofila Cabales and 11 others.
According to BFP-Iloilo City, the fire broke out at around 10:05 p.m. Responding firefighters brought the blaze under control by 10:45 p.m., with “fire out” officially declared at 11:03 p.m.
No fatalities were reported, but four individuals sustained injuries. They were identified as Ramon Fabillo, 44, who suffered a lacerated wound on his left shoulder; Seth Vincent Lalisan, 35, who sustained a second-degree burn on his right shoulder; Gerald Manahan, 27, who suffered a puncture wound on his right foot; and Angel Nava, 16, who experienced difficulty breathing.
Affected residents are currently taking shelter at the barangay evacuation center, where the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has begun distributing food packs and non-food relief items.
BFP-Iloilo City estimated total property damages at approximately P360,000. Investigators are conducting a thorough probe into the cause and origin of the fire.
Residents noted that the neighborhood had experienced a two-hour power outage prior to the outbreak, leading several locals to suspect that an unattended candle lit during the blackout may have triggered the blaze. Fire authorities have yet to confirm the theory.
Residents, meanwhile, described moments of panic as flames quickly consumed wooden structures in the densely populated area.
Teofila Cabales, 67, recalled the frantic moments her family realized their home was in danger.
“Mga 10 p.m. namon nabatyagan nga may sunog kag may kalayo. Kay nagdalaagan ako pa-gwa ka balay and naglibot. Dako na ang kalayo. Dugay-dugay nagdako na ang kalayo,” Cabales told Panay News.
She added: “Nag-umpisa ang kalayo sa gwa, sa may boarding house. Ang amon nga balay sa babaw, ubos gid.”
“Insigida ginhambalan ako ka bata ko nga agot, nga tulog na kami ni banahon mo, nga ‘Nay, may kalayo.’ Ginbutong na gid kami nga mag-gwa kami,” she recalled.
Cabales, who lived with four family members, said the fire originated outside near an adjacent boarding house before spreading to their upper floor.
“Lima kami sa sulod ka balay. Ubos gamit namon sa babaw, pero may bilin sa dalom pero basa tanan,” she stressed.
Darlene Gubac, daughter of the boarding house owner, recounted how quickly the flames engulfed their property. None of their 19 boarders — many of whom rely on modest livelihoods such as selling balut — were able to salvage their personal property.
“My sibling and I were inside when the fire broke out. We couldn’t save anything except my mobile phone and our pet dog,” Gubac shared. “Our boarders are struggling financially. We are desperately hoping that assistance reaches them soon.”
3 fire hoses damaged
Meanwhile, three BFP-Iloilo City fire hoses were deliberately punctured while firefighters were responding to the incident.
Fire Officer 1 Denmarc Macoco, acting chief of the BFP-Iloilo City Intelligence and Investigation Unit, said the agency is determined to file formal charges against those responsible for damaging the firefighting equipment.
Macoco said the three fire hoses were rendered unusable after being punctured with a sharp object, believed to be a knife. The damaged equipment was valued at approximately ₱24,000.
The damage severely affected water pressure, hampering firefighters’ efforts to contain the blaze quickly.
As of press time, the identities of the individuals who allegedly punctured the hoses remained unknown.
Macoco warned that damaging firefighting equipment could put both firefighters and residents at greater risk, particularly during an active emergency when every piece of equipment is crucial.
The BFP Iloilo City appealed to the public to refrain from damaging or tampering with firefighting equipment, which is intended to protect lives and property during emergencies./PN
