MEDINA, Misamis Oriental — A 66-year-old woman with a disability died in a morning fire that destroyed three houses and damaged two others in Barangay North Poblacion on Wednesday, leaving 12 families, or 64 people, without homes.

The fatality was identified as Rosenda Roche, a senior citizen and person with disability (PWD), according to SFO4 Julieta Gala-Wapanio, municipal fire marshal.

Witnesses said Roche reportedly went back inside her burning house to retrieve something but became trapped and could no longer escape.

Barangay Chairman Emmanuel “Noli” Pupos said the fire started at Roche's house in Purok 2.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) received the fire call at 6:18 a.m. The blaze was placed under control at 6:30 a.m. and declared extinguished at 6:35 a.m., Wapanio said.

Three houses made of light materials were totally destroyed, while two others were partially damaged. The BFP estimated property losses at P250,000.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Fire hydrants help contain blaze

Pupos said the barangay's fire hydrants helped prevent the flames from spreading to more houses in the closely built residential area.

The barangay has three fire hydrants, but firefighters used only one after their fire truck ran out of water, he said.

He said the hydrant helped firefighters contain the blaze, particularly because houses in the area stood close to one another.

All 64 residents housed at barangay hall

All 64 residents from the 12 affected families are temporarily staying at the barangay hall, where modular tents have been set up as temporary shelters, Pupos said.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) Office provided food and other basic supplies, including foam mattresses and pillows, to help the families cope with their immediate needs.

MSWD head Glorilie S. Vosotros said the office immediately arranged the assistance following the fire.

With three houses destroyed and two others damaged, the affected families now face the task of finding permanent shelter and rebuilding their lives after the fire.