A catastrophic fire destroyed over 1,000 homes in Bongao, a coastal city in southern Philippines. The fire broke out Tuesday night around 10 pm. It spread fast, driven by strong winds and flammable materials used in houses. About 5,000 residents live in the affected area. The fire was controlled by 2 am on Wednesday, said the Municipal Risk Management Office. Families fled in panic, evacuating by land and sea, trying to save their belongings. Social media showed collapsed roofs, charred walls, and large parts of the neighbourhood burned to ashes. Rescue teams moved displaced people to temporary shelters. Abdulraof Macacua, Bangsamoro chief minister, ordered immediate dispatch of relief supplies like food, water, tents, medical gear, and security staff. Authorities are still probing the fire’s cause, with early reports saying it may have started inside a house. Property damage is estimated at 17.5 million Philippine pesos. This fire adds to recent disasters in the region, where unsafe building and harsh weather increase risk. Officials stress that finding the cause is vital to stopping such fires from happening again.