SEPARATE weekend fire incidents destroyed at least 18 residential houses in Agdao District and razed a portion of an elementary school in Barangay Callawa, local fire authorities reported.
In Barangay Lapu-Lapu, Agdao, a midnight blaze ripped through a densely populated residential zone at Purok 8, IKP Jerome, destroying approximately 18 houses and leaving dozens of residents displaced.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Davao, the emergency call was received at 11:34 p.m. on Sunday, May 24.
Due to the closely spaced houses made of light materials, the fire quickly spread, prompting first responders to declare a Second Alarm by 12:04 a.m. on Monday, May 25.
Firefighters managed to bring the flames under control at 12:44 a.m., completely declaring “fire-out” at 4:47 a.m. on Monday.
Initial assessments show the fire swallowed an area of roughly 500 square meters. While no casualties, injuries, or fatalities were reported, local social welfare officials are still verifying the exact number of affected individuals and displaced families currently seeking temporary shelter.
Callawa Campus hit
Meanwhile, in a separate incident over the weekend, a fire broke out at Callawa Elementary School in Barangay Callawa, damaging an educational building.
The BFP received the report at 8:05 PM on Saturday, May 23. By the time fire trucks arrived at the scene, the fire had already been contained and extinguished by quick-responding residents and school personnel, with official “fire-out upon arrival” recorded at 9:31 p.m.
The incident destroyed one school building containing a classroom and an adjacent storage room, spanning an estimated area of 65 square meters.
BFP investigators placed the initial property damage at Callawa Elementary School at ₱100,000.
Arson investigators are still conducting thorough investigations to determine the exact cause of both fire incidents.
