Resilience Amidst Flames: Molo, Iloilo City Confronts Harsh Reality of Destructive Fire

janimonow

Dec 16

In the early hours of December 16, 2023, a tragic fire occurred in Molo District, Iloilo City, resulting in the loss of three lives. The blaze, which started around 4:42 a.m., rapidly spread through the residential area of Barangay Habog-Habog Salvacion, impacting around 50 homes constructed mostly from light materials.

The community members rallied alongside the Bureau of Fire Protection in a collective effort to extinguish the fire, which escalated to a fourth alarm by 5:02 a.m. After a strenuous battle, the fire was finally brought under control at 5:53 a.m., with an official "fire out" declaration made at 6:59 a.m. by the Iloilo City Operations Center.

The event has prompted ongoing investigations to determine the cause of the fire, as authorities seek to understand the underlying factors behind this catastrophe.

This incident in Molo District is not an isolated one. Earlier, on December 24, 2022, a fire in the same district displaced 91 residents, underlining the recurring challenges faced by the community. The frequency and severity of these incidents have drawn attention to the need for improved housing solutions and fire safety measures. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, in response to these fires, acknowledged the urgency of providing better housing for residents, particularly following the January 28, 2023 fire that devastated nearly 300 houses in the Molo district. This latter event was marked as one of the worst in recent history, prompting a call to action for more robust and effective urban planning and safety protocols.