A man was hurt in a fire of still unknown origin that destroyed residential homes and a warehouse in Dumaguete City’s Barangay Bantayan on Tuesday, May 9.

An initial report from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the city said they received a callout at 12:35 p.m. regarding the fire.

City fire marshal, Chief Inspector Marlon Chomling told the Philippine News Agency that the blaze spread so fast and was difficult to contain due to the presence of highly flammable materials such as paint and thinner.

“We had to call in help from the other fire stations and private volunteer groups and use foam to douse the fire as it would only get bigger with water,” he said.

Initially, at least three houses and one commercial building, separately owned by members of the Chuang family, were damaged by the fire.

Chomling said the fire alarm reached the third level by 12:50 p.m. as the fire would rekindle again and again, but the blaze was placed under control by around 2:15 p.m.

The injured, a certain Steve Michael, 48 years old, suffered a first-degree burn on the right forehead and second-degree burns on his left arm and foot.

Chomling said residents of Casa Esperanza, a temporary shelter for abused women and children, and some nearby houses were evacuated to safer ground.

At least 16 firetrucks responded to the scene, including those from the local government units of Sibulan, Bacong, Valencia, San Jose, and Dauin, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines from the airport nearby, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Chinese volunteer group, among others, Chomling said.

As of late afternoon, Chomling said he cannot yet declare a fire out although the blaze has died down already as firefighters are still doing mopping-up and overhauling operations.

The estimated cost of damage has yet to be determined. (PNA)