A huge fire razed approximately 200 houses in an interior portion of Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.

The fire broke out past 7 p.m. on March 23, 2025 in Zone Talong, Barangay Paknaan.

In an initial count, 177 houses were destroyed while one was damaged partially.

Families affected reached a total of 244 or over 800 individuals.

Damage left behind by the huge fire was placed at about P3 million.

Fire responders carried out a hose relay to reach the affected site which is in an interior area.

The fire was raised to fourth alarm, and a fire-out was declared past 10 p.m.

The fire razed an area estimated to be 6,000 square meters wide.

In the morning on Monday, March 24, 2025, GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak saw residents scavenging scraps they can sell to earn money.

“Sa pirmiro ana sir, nagtoo mi dili maabot diri sir, ana man, ang hangin padung adto sir unya nibalik man og kalit naabot na diha na mao to nataranta ako mga igsoon,” Roel Comeros, a fire victim, said.

In 2012, the same area was hit by a fire.

Affected families sought temporary shelter at the gym where they were provided with modular tents to provide privacy.

Fire victims implored for help to be able to start all over again.

“Kani ra mga bata ako gisiguro ba, tapot lawas ra gyud. Mobalik pa ka nga init na kaayos tanan…unsa man amo isugod og wa miy materyales,” Melinda Abutay, a fire victim, said.

The Local Government Unit of Mandaue City vowed to provide immediate assistance to the fire victims.

“Naa ra ta ihatag. I'm sure it will be given immediately gyud as soon as possible,” said Karla Cortes, information officer of the Mandaue City Government.

Meanwhile, as of this writing, the cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

“Nakadungog sila naay pitî-pitî, possible angle nato ani is electrical pero mobalik mi sa fire scene magkuha ta additional evidence,” said FO1 Neil Ian Amancio, fire investigator at Mandaue City Fire Station.

Aside from narrow alleys, firefighters faced the risks posed by a few aggressive residents.

They were hurled reportedly with stones while the residents grappled for the hoses.

Police personnel assisted the firefighters in controlling the crowd.

The said fire is the fourth fire incident in Mandaue City in March observed as Fire Prevention Month.

“Agitated ato mga residente sa firefighting operations gipamato mi, nag-ulan og bato, among hose gipamutol, connect na-disrupt among operation, mahadlok sila maapil ilang balay, hapit masunog ilang balay o naapil na gyud ilang bala,” Amancio added.

On the other hand, a fire incident broke out in Sitio Upper Torre, Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City afternoon on March 22, 2025.

The fire razed eight houses and gutted two others.

Damage was estimated to have reached P600,000, according to the Cebu City Fire Office.