At least eight hectares of grassland were affected by the fire that hit Barangay Tugbungan, Zamboanga City on March 21, 2024, the biggest grass fire in the city in 2024, by far.

Investigators said the fire broke out around midday and lasted for seven hours before it was placed under control.

Some children were found to have burned some garbage in the area but the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is still investigating the incident.

No one was reported hurt in the incident. 

“Mangayo mi’g tabang sa katawhan nga dili na gayod ta magsunog-sunog og basura bisan sa balay,” Zamboanga City Fire District Marshall, Fire Superintendent Christopher Morales, said.

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old woman was burned to death after she was trapped inside her house that was engulfed by fire in Barangay Malubo, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur.

Investigators said the victim was not saved as the fire spread quickly because the house was made of light materials. 

The victim was alone in the house when the fire broke out. Damage was pegged at P20,000.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, as of this writing, and urged the public to be extra careful, especially with the entrance of the hot season.