• Around 1,000 homes destroyed, 5,000 displaced
• Emergency relief efforts provide shelter, food, and medical supplies

A massive fire broke out Tuesday night in the Philippine village of Lamion, leaving widespread destruction as roughly 1,000 homes were reduced to ashes and thousands of residents were forced to flee their houses on this remote island.

According to reports, the blaze began around 10:09 p.m. on February 3, 2026, and quickly spread through the coastal community, fueled by strong winds and the lightweight, flammable materials used in many stilt houses.

Aerial footage circulating on X captured the devastating scene: flames engulfing rooftops, thick smoke rising into the sky, and buildings collapsing amid a sea of orange fire.

Videos showed the fire spreading across the densely populated village, with sparks flying and lighting up the surrounding darkness.

By around 2 a.m. Wednesday, firefighters declared the blaze under control, after it had destroyed a community home to an estimated 5,000 people.

No fatalities have been reported so far, according to initial accounts, despite the enormous material losses.

Hundreds of families were evacuated to temporary shelters, where relief efforts provided food, water, tents, medical supplies, and security support.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua expressed deep sympathy for those affected and ordered immediate aid distribution.

Several agencies, including the Ministry of Social Services and Development, are coordinating with local officials, including Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael Sali, to ensure support reaches the affected families.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though early reports suggest it started in a residential building.

Residents described chaotic scenes as they fled with whatever belongings they could carry, saying, “It’s heartbreaking; everything we built is gone.”

At dawn, drone images revealed the aftermath: charred wooden stilts protruding from the water’s edge, debris scattered along the shore, and a once-vibrant community left in ruins.