Massive fire in Philippines... 1000 homes turned into ashes, over 5000 people left homeless
Major fire that broke out on a small island in Bongao, southern Philippines, on Tuesday night destroyed 1000 homes. The fire, which started in Barangay Lamian, raged for four hours due to strong winds, leaving over 5000 people homeless.
A massive fire that broke out on a small island in Bongao, southern Philippines, on Tuesday night devastated the entire settlement. The flames engulfed approximately 1000 homes, leaving over 5000 people homeless. The fire was so intense that it burned for almost four hours. Strong winds exacerbated the situation.
The houses, made of light materials, caused the fire to spread rapidly.
When and where did the fire start?
According to the news agency PNA, the fire started in an area called Barangay Lamian. This area is located on a small island where houses are built on stilts over the water. Most of the houses were made of light materials – such as wood, bamboo, and coconut leaves. The houses were very close to each other, so the fire spread very quickly from one house to another. Strong winds further fueled the fire, making it difficult to control.
How much damage was done?
• Homes destroyed: Approximately 1000
• People left homeless: At least 5000
• The fire virtually wiped out the entire settlement. The affected people are now forced to live in the open or in temporary shelters.
A massive fire swept through a village in Bongao, southern Philippines, displacing at least 5,000 people. The blaze broke out on Tuesday and raged for nearly four hours, destroying some 1,000 homes, according to state news agency PNA. pic.twitter.com/aPcNazXPuw
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 4, 2026
Videos that went viral on social media show massive flames and black smoke in the darkness of the night. A video shared on the Facebook page S/B F&M SeaJet clearly shows the intensity of the fire. The flames were so high that the entire area could be seen burning from a distance.
Why did the fire spread so quickly? Settlements on these types of islands are often home to impoverished communities. Because the houses are built on stilts over the water, fire trucks cannot easily reach them. The lightweight construction materials and the close proximity of the houses allow fires to spread rapidly. Strong winds exacerbate the situation. Similar fires have occurred in the Philippines before, particularly in densely populated coastal areas.
Investigation into the cause is underway
Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the fire. The investigation is ongoing. Such fires are typically caused by electrical short circuits, gas leaks, or negligence, but no official statement has been released yet.
Summary
The local government and relief agencies are providing food, water, clothing, and temporary shelter to the affected families. Thousands of people have now lost their homes and belongings. Therefore, rehabilitation and reconstruction will take considerable time.