E-Paper
Sign In
Filipinos in Dubai fear for families as fires in Iloilo raze 20 homes, kill 1 person
Thick smoke billowed across the neighbourhood, triggering panic among residents, even among overseas Filipinos in Dubai who helplessly watched videos shared by relatives
- PUBLISHED: Mon 16 Feb 2026, 8:35 PM
Two fire incidents destroyed roughly 20 houses and killed one person in Jaro District, Iloilo City, in central Philippines, on Monday (February 16). The fire that tore through Benedicto town in Jaro struck around 20 houses, sending thick smoke billowing across the neighbourhood and triggering panic among residents, even among overseas Filipinos watching helplessly from thousands of miles away in Dubai.
For Dubai-based resident B.R., the fire felt painfully close. Her mother, who lives just two blocks from where the blaze erupted in Benedicto, sent her a message as smoke filled their neighbourhood.
Recommended For You
“She told me there was a huge fire happening near our home,” B.R. told Khaleej Times.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels
Her mother, who lives with B.R.’s brother in Jaro, had already begun smelling smoke from inside the house. At first, she dismissed it. But when sirens began blaring through the streets, the situation quickly felt more serious. B.R.’s mum asked her son to step outside and check what was happening. Soon after, the smoke grew, with fumes seeping indoors.
Concerned for their safety, they left home and sought refuge in a nearby mall to escape the thick smoke. “Even inside the house, the smell was strong,” B.R.’s mum said.
Separated by a four-hour time difference and thousands of kilometres, B.R. could only wait anxiously for updates. “It’s scary when you’re not there. You just keep checking your phone and hoping for good news.”
Another Dubai resident, Lorraine P., whose family also lives in Jaro, said she immediately panicked when she heard about the fire.
“When I heard there was a fire in Jaro, I panicked,” said the 37-year-old HR manager. “We live in Benedicto, but thank goodness my family reassured me that the fire was on the other side of the neighbourhood.
“You feel so helpless because you can’t do anything from here. All you can do is call and pray that everyone is safe,” she said, adding that being overseas makes emergencies back home even more stressful.
Meanwhile, the other fire happened at 2.30am on Monday in Barangay Balabago, Jaro, where a man was trapped inside a burning vehicle repair shop.
The victim was identified as 25-year old Rostom Ancita, who, according to local media reports, aspired to become a member of the local fire brigade unit. Rostom's father, Angelito, said his son was fast asleep when the fire happened.
