Bongao: The municipal government of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi has mobilized its resources and sought assistance from other government agencies to support about 1,000 families displaced by the four-hour fire that hit a coastal village in the area late Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, on Wednesday, the local government unit (LGU) of Bongao coordinated with the Bangsamoro Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) and the provincial government for primary relief operations. The Bongao Rural Health Unit has assigned personnel to address the health needs of displaced families, numbering more than 5,000 individuals, housed at the two evacuation sites at the Mindanao State University (MSU) Amilbahar Gym and MSU-Integrated Laboratory School.

'The affected families were evacuated via land and sea,' the Bongao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that no deaths were reported. The Bongao MDRRMO said around 1,000 houses on stilts were totally damaged during the fire that broke out around 10 p.m. in Lamion, a coastal barangay.

The fire, fanned by strong winds, spread rapidly, engulfing the houses made of light materials. 'A number of foot bridges were also damaged by the fire, making the rescue and firefighting operations difficult,' the MDRRMO said. The Bongao Central Fire Station declared fire-out around 2 a.m. Wednesday. Investigation continues to determine the cause of the fire and assess property damage.