SAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION — What began as a quiet early morning turned into a desperate fight for safety after a fire tore through a residential area in Barangay Ilocanos Sur, San Fernando City, La Union, before dawn on Friday, August 28.
The blaze destroyed 12 homes, forcing 27 families from their residences and leaving several people injured, according to initial reports and information released by local authorities.
No deaths were reported. However, three female senior citizens and one adolescent were injured during the incident.
The fire reportedly broke out at around 4:01 a.m. Firefighters battled the flames for more than an hour before the blaze was declared out at approximately 5:30 a.m. Rainfall in the area also helped responders contain the fire.
The displaced families are currently taking shelter at barangay halls in Barangay Tanqui and Barangay Ilocanos Sur, as authorities coordinate assistance for those who lost their homes.
Candles Eyed as Possible Cause Amid Power Outage
Authorities are looking into the possibility that candles used during a power outage may have triggered the fire. However, the cause remains subject to further investigation, and officials have yet to announce a final determination.
The incident is a painful reminder of how quickly fires can spread through residential communities, particularly when homes are situated close together and residents are caught off guard during the early hours of the morning.
La Union had already been dealing with multiple challenges in recent weeks, including severe weather and disaster response operations. The provincial government had activated disaster preparedness measures amid weather disturbances and continued to deploy response personnel across affected communities.
Earlier this year, fire authorities also intensified fire safety campaigns in La Union after provincial data showed an increase in reported fire incidents compared with the same period in 2025.
Families Now Face the Difficult Road to Recovery
For the 27 displaced families, the immediate danger may be over, but the challenge of rebuilding is only beginning.
Authorities are expected to continue assessing the damage and the needs of affected residents. As of the latest report, no official estimate of the total property damage from Friday’s fire had been released.
The Bureau of Fire Protection and other concerned authorities are expected to continue their investigation into the origin and cause of the blaze.
As families seek shelter and begin counting what they lost, one question remains: could this devastating fire have been prevented?
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