Over 200 families were displaced after a fire razed around 166 houses in Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro.
Authorities said the fire may have spread quickly as most of the houses affected were made of light materials.
According to some residents in the area, unattended cooking may have caused the fire.
The fire was raised to second alarm.
Firefighters said they had a hard time penetrating the area because of the narrow road.
"Very challenging siya sa part sa investigators but still ga kolekta mi mga informations nga ma pinpoint kung unsa gyud ang leading cause but yes gi tan-aw namo to unattended cooking galuto siya sir mao hinungdan sa sunog," Lapasan Fire Station Commander, Fire Inspector Louis Roy Solamo, said.
Damage to property reached more than P1 million.
Data from the barangay showed around 206 families were affected and are now staying temporarily at the covered court.
The local government has provided immediate assistance.