At least nine houses were razed by fire in Barangay Sugbongcogon, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

The fire broke out morning on Thursday, July 4, 2024, and it spread quickly to houses nearby that were made of light materials.

The fire may have started from the house of Angana family. According to the owner, the extension wire she was supposed to use for the washing machine allegedly melted.

“Wala sab nako nabantayn diretso kay ni gawas lage ko kay mag washing unta pero pagbalik nako nag melt an ang plug nga gisaksak tapos ni dagan na dayon ang kuryente dali ra gyud kaayo,” the house owner, Mary Grace Angana, said.

The fire was also aggravated by the bottles of gasoline and crude oil the family were selling.

“Isa sa nagpadako sa sunog ang mga gasolina nga bote bote dili siya mapalong diretso sa tubig lang kay gasolina man naa pay krudo,” Tagoloan Fire Station Investigator, John Mark Diango, said.

Authorities reminded the public that selling liquid fuels in “bote-bote” is illegal.

“Katong namaligya ug bote bote undangan na nato kay bawal man na delikado pud makadamay ta sa atong mga silingan,” Diango added.

“Gi anhi-an man mi sa taga BFP nga bawal ipahurot lang to nabilin na stock ang nabilin diha naay usa ka drum,” Angana said.

The estimated damage of the fire reached P100,000.

The fire victims are taking shelter temporary at the barangay hall and they were provided with immediate assistance.