A ferocious blaze swept through Barangay Lamion in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, destroying an estimated 1,000 homes and displacing thousands of residents in the remote Philippine island province.
The fire broke out at approximately 10:09 p.m. on February 3, and spread rapidly through the coastal community, fueled by strong winds and the flammable materials used in many stilt houses, Gulf News reports.
Aerial footage circulating on X captured the harrowing scene, showing flames engulfing rows of rooftops, thick smoke billowing into the night sky, and structures collapsing in a sea of fire. The blaze tore through the densely packed village, with embers flying across the surrounding darkness. By around 2 a.m. on February 4, firefighters were able to declare the fire under control, but not before it had devastated a community home to roughly 5,000 people.
Despite the scale of destruction, no fatalities have been reported in the initial assessments. Hundreds of families were evacuated to temporary shelters, where relief operations are underway.
Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua expressed his deep sym
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though initial reports suggest it may have originated in a residential structure. Residents recounted chaotic scenes as they fled with whatever belongings they could carry. "It's heartbreaking; everything we built is gone," one evacuee told local media.
By Vafa Guliyeva
