Cagayan de oro: An estimated PHP4.5 million in properties were destroyed by a fire at dawn on Friday in this city, with authorities suspecting it was arson.

According to Philippines News Agency, Fire Officer-2 Angelou Daisog stated that 397 individuals or 106 families were affected in Sitio Santa Cruz, Barangay Lapasan, where 92 houses were razed. The damaged area covered at least 3,000 square meters. "We are looking into the possibility of arson, as there were reports that some witnesses allegedly saw an individual who quarreled with one of the homeowners," Daisog said. However, he mentioned that they are still investigating the incident and weighing the evidence on that angle in coordination with the police.

No injuries or casualties were reported by the Bureau of Fire Protection in connection with the blaze. In response to the tragedy, Barangay Chairperson Julito Ogsimer provided temporary shelter to affected families at the barangay covered court and distributed food and clothes. Barangay Lapasan is one of the city's most populous villages with more than 60,000 residents. This year alone, some of its sitios were razed by fire several times, displacing families and destroying properties worth at least PHP1.5 million.

In a proactive measure, the barangay council deputized women to become auxiliary fire responders in the community. Barangay Councilor Mark Anthony Bustamante explained that the women, trained with the Bureau of Fire Protection, were mostly housewives left to tend their households. "In every zone, we also provided fire extinguishers so that they will be the first to respond while fire trucks are underway," Bustamante said.