CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Families displaced by the recent fire in Barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro are now relying on temporary shelters and relief assistance as authorities continue investigating the cause of the blaze.
The June 28 fire tore through Sitio Little Cebu and Sitio Gaabucayan shortly after 3 p.m., quickly reaching a fourth alarm due to tightly packed houses made mostly of light materials.
Initial reports showed that around 163 to 190 families, or more than 400 individuals, were displaced. Authorities also estimated that between 90 and 163 houses were destroyed, with property damage initially placed at about ₱1.7 million by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
For affected residents, immediate concerns now center on food, shelter, clothing, and rebuilding their daily lives.
Families are currently staying at the barangay covered court and in modular tents set up by the City Social Welfare and Development Office. Relief operations started immediately after the fire, according to Barangay Chairman Julieto Ogsimer, with food packs, drinking water, and other basic necessities being distributed to evacuees.
Community donation drives have also been launched to gather clothes, hygiene kits, sleeping materials, and other essentials for displaced families.
Authorities said residents who wish to help may coordinate with barangay officials or local relief groups for donations and assistance.
Meanwhile, BFP investigators are still determining what caused the fire. Initial findings suggest the blaze may have started from the residence of the Gallardo family, who were reportedly away at the time.
Investigators are looking into a possible electrical malfunction, although the official cause has not yet been confirmed.
No deaths or injuries were reported.
The latest incident comes just over two months after another major fire hit Sitio San Isidro in the same barangay, displacing around 250 families and claiming one life.
The repeated fires have renewed concerns over fire safety in densely populated communities, where narrow spaces and closely built homes can allow flames to spread rapidly despite emergency response efforts.
As relief operations continue, affected families are now preparing for the longer challenge of recovering homes, livelihoods, and basic stability in the weeks ahead.
