Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Residential Fires April, 2026

This is a reported list of residential fires in the Philippines for April, 2026. The Bureau of Fire Protection is on record saying the fire codes does not apply to residential areas which is why so many of them go up in flames during a fire. Being made of light materials all it takes is one spark to cause massive devastation. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/04/black-saturday-fire-razes-homes-in-santa-ana-manila

Several houses were razed in a fire that struck Del Pilar Street in Barangay 882, Santa Ana, Manila, on Saturday, April 4.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the blaze started at around 8:31 a.m. and was quickly raised to the second alarm at 8:34 a.m. 

Firefighters said most of the affected houses were made of light materials, causing the fire to quickly spread.

The fire out was declared at around 9:04 a.m.

No one was reported hurt in the incident.

Arson investigators are determining the cause of the fire and the extent of property damage. 


https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/713186/ermita-fire-displaces-349-individuals

A total of 98 families, or approximately 349 individuals, were displaced by the fire that broke out in a residential area in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City Saturday night.

The Cebu City Government said the fire incident was reported at around 7:34 p.m. and was raised to third alarm. It burned 36 homes and damaged three others.

In a report released as of 10:30 p.m., it said that the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) already listed a total of 349 affected individuals that included 24 renters, 35 sharers and five lodgers. 

“Response operations are currently ongoing, with the Cebu City government conducting registration of fire victims and internally displaced persons (IDPs),” read part of the report.

“Authorities are also undertaking verification and validation to ensure proper documentation and delivery of assistance,” it added.

The evening fire was the already third to affect Cebu City on Black Saturday. It was also the fourth fire reported in Metro Cebu on the same day. 

Earlier in the day, fire incidents were reported in Brgy. Zapatera in Cebu City and in Brgy. Casuntingan in Mandaue City. Another fire was also reported in Sitio La Guardia, Brgy. Lahug at around 6:40 p.m.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2208638/fire-engulfs-25-houses-in-tacloban-village

An early morning fire struck a residential area in Barangay 80 on Wednesday, damaging at least 25 houses and affecting around 34 families, authorities said.

The Tacloban City Fire Station reported that the blaze was logged at 3:08 a.m. Firefighters arrived within minutes and brought it under control by 4 a.m., then fully extinguished it at around 4:36 a.m.

The fire swept through a cluster of homes, made mostly of light materials, contributing to its rapid spread.

No injuries or casualties were reported, but property damage was estimated at P750,000.

The incident was raised to first alarm, prompting a multi-unit response. A total of 10 fire trucks were deployed, including units from the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade, the Delta Fire Brigade, and the Central Fire Brigade.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/08/fire-hits-residential-area-in-pasig

A fire broke out in a residential area at Mangga 2, Dilang 1 Nagpayong, Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City on Wednesday, April 8.

According to the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), the fire started at 6:26 p.m. and was raised to second alarm at 6:32 p.m. 
The blaze was extinguished at 7:25 p.m. 
As of this writing, authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, as well as the number of families affected and the estimated damage to property.

 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/983628/people-quezon-city-fire-sunday-morning/story/

Two children were among those killed in a fire that razed a residential commercial establishment in Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City early Sunday morning.

According to Bam Alegre’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” the third fatality was an employee of the LPG store at the ground floor of the two-storey structure.

The fire began shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday and reached the first alarm. Firefighters were able to put out the blaze in less than an hour, but three houses were affected by the fire.

Authorities later recovered the remains of the two children aged 10 and 11 and the employee. One of the victims died of suffocation.

A relative of the victims alleged that the employee and the children’s father had a quarrel prior to the fire.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is investigating the cause of the blaze and the damage to property as a result of the fire.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/15/tondo-residential-fire-reaches-3rd-alarm

Four individuals sustained minor injuries while around 300 families were displaced after a fire hit a residential area in Barangay 121, Tondo, Manila, on Wednesday evening, April 15.

Four individuals were reported injured, including a 67-year-old woman who sustained a first-degree burn on her left elbow, while three others suffered minor injuries. 

The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) confirmed that no fatalities were recorded.

The blaze broke out at around 7:43 p.m. at a two-story residential structure along Sevilla Extension, Zone 9, District 1. 

It was raised to first alarm at 7:48 p.m., escalated to second alarm at 7:58 p.m., and reached third alarm at 8:05 p.m., according to fire authorities.

Firefighters, backed by at least 42 fire trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), volunteer groups, and the local government, managed to contain and extinguish the fire before 9 p.m. 

Crews utilized nearby hydrants and established water supply lines to prevent the flames from spreading further across the densely populated community.

Initial investigation showed that the fire allegedly originated on the second floor of a residential structure owned by Gloria Palma and occupied by the Palma family. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Meanwhile, property damage was estimated at no less than P500,000.

Displaced families are currently taking temporary shelter at a covered court within the barangay as authorities continue assessment and relief operations.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/18/8-houses-destroyed-in-cebu-city-fire

Eight houses were razed and two others were damaged by a fire in Barangay Pahina Central here on Saturday afternoon, April 18.

The fire broke out as various areas in the country continue to experience sweltering temperatures.

The Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO) said the fire started at 1:32 p.m. and was raised to second alarm at 1:44. The fire was placed under control at 2:07 p.m. and was put out at 2:18 p.m.

The fire displaced 12 families composed of 30 individuals. Property damage was pegged at P180,000.

SFO3 Wendell Villanueva said the fire started in a house owned by Filjohn Arrogante. Flames spread quickly as it was mostly made of light materials.

Villanueva said investigators are checking reports that unattended cooking and arson triggered the fire. 

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/04/19/over-140-families-displaced-by-fire-in-pasig

A fire that hit a residential area in Brgy. Bagong Ilog on 17 April displaced more than 140 families, prompting local authorities to set up an evacuation center and distribute emergency supplies to affected residents.

The Pasig City government said at least 536 individuals are currently staying at the evacuation center established at Bagong Ilog Elementary School.

Fire authorities reported that the blaze started in Purok Maligaya along Sgt. Pascua Street, with the second alarm raised at 11:49 a.m. 

The fire was declared under control and eventually extinguished at around 3:00 p.m.

Brgy. Bagong Ilog said in an interview that initial findings suggest unattended rice cooking may have caused the fire. 

The city government distributed hygiene and sleeping kits to evacuees on the same day as part of its initial assistance.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/20/6-killed-in-urdaneta-fire

Six persons were killed in a fire in Zone 2, Barangay Nancayasan, this city, before dawn on Monday, April 20.

The Bureau of Fire Protection-Urdaneta said the victims were three males and three females, including two 11-year-old girls. 
Two houses were destroyed – one owned by a woman living abroad and the other by a 63-year-old man. 
The blaze started at 2 a.m. in the kitchen of one of the houses. The blaze rapidly spread and trapped the victims whose bodies were recovered in mopping-up operations. 
Fire out was declared at 4:49 a.m. 
Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze and damage to property.


A fire broke out along Delgado Street in Barangay 407, Sampaloc, Manila, on Monday afternoon, April 20, leaving four houses destroyed and around 20 families displaced.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire was raised to first alarm at 5:30 p.m. and was declared under control at 6:09 p.m.

Some employees and students of the University of Manila were evacuated after smoke spread to the campus.

Motorists were advised to avoid the affected area and give way to responding fire trucks, as roads in the area are narrow and easily congested.

The BFP is still investigating the cause of the fire and the estimated cost of damage.


An early morning blaze left three people injured and around 80 families or 294 individuals homeless in Barangay Niog, Bacoor City, on Wednesday, April 22.

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the residential fire was reported at 12:55 a.m. and reached the first alarm at 01:05 a.m. A second alarm was declared at 1:12 a.m. before the flames were extinguished at 2:45 a.m.

The Bureau of Fire Protection Bacoor (BFP-Bacoor) reported three injured individuals.

Affected residents are now seeking temporary shelter at Niog Elementary School, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) told the Manila Bulletin.

They have been provided with hot meals, and a medical section has been set up to assist victims in need.

An area for pets has also been set up as part of camp management.

Authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/21/32-houses-destroyed-in-bacolod-fire

Thirty-two houses were destroyed in a fire in Purok Ramon, Magsaysay, Barangay 14 here on Tuesday, April 21. 
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod received a fire call at 3:14 p.m.  
Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip, city fire marshal, in a media interview, said the fire was raised to second alarm nine minutes later due to the severity of the affected area and narrow pathways. Other fire volunteers and stations augmented the BFP. 
Residents were seen doing bucket relay to aid firefighters. 
Twenty-two houses were totally and 10 others were partially damaged, the BFP reported. Damage to property was estimated at P4.5 million.  
The fire was placed under control at 3:40 p.m. and was declared fire out at 3:52 p.m. No casualties were reported. 
The BFP is probing the cause of fire.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/23/fires-rip-through-taguig-muntinlupa-homes

Two fires ripped through residential areas in Taquig City and Muntinlupa City on Wednesday, April 22, gutting five houses and displacing nine families, authorities reported. 

In Taguig, flames razed three houses in Barangay New Lower Bicutan, affecting five families. 

The Taguig City Fire Station said the blaze broke out at 3:18 p.m. inside a two-story house on C.P. Tinga Street owned by a 73-year-old woman. 

Firefighters put out the fire at 4:20 p.m. 

Damage reached P683,000, while 26 individuals were affected. 

Investigators traced the origin of the fire to the kitchen area on the first floor of the house. The cause is still under investigation. 

Four fire trucks, 11 volunteers, and local government units, and two ambulances responded to the incident. 

In Muntinlupa, fire struck Parco Bello 2 in Victoria Homes, Barangay Tunasan, at 11: 48 a.m., destroying two houses and affecting four families. 

The fire reached the first alarm at 12:02 p.m. and was put out at 12:32 p.m. 

Damage was pegged at P10,000. The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation. 

Eleven fire trucks, two ambulances, and a rescue vehicle rushed to the scene. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/29/massive-muntinlupa-fire-displaces-over-200-families-injures-one

The massive fire that razed houses in Barangay Sucat, Muntinlupa City, on Wednesday, April 29, affected over 200 families and injured a man. 

The fire started at about 6:45 a.m. from a house in Hacienda Rosario, Purok 2 and spread to other structures. 

The Muntinlupa City Fire Station reported that the blaze reached the third alarm at 8:05 a.m. before it was put out at 11:40 a.m. 

The Muntinlupa City government and Barangay Sucat said the fire affected 202 families or 738 individuals, who are now temporarily staying in two facilities.

The Sucat covered court has 38 families or 169 individuals while the Sucat Elementary School has 164 families or 569 individuals. The city government has provided initial assistance to the families. 

The fire station identified the injured as Joseph Donato, a house occupant who sustained second-degree burns on his back. 

The blaze destroyed P350,000 worth of properties. 

The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation. 

A total of 16 fire trucks, 10 volunteer groups, three water tankers, two ambulances, and a rescue vehicle responded to the incident. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/985866/fire-razes-houses-in-sta-cruz-manila/story/

A massive fire tore through a residential area in Sta. Cruz, Manila early morning of Thursday, according to GMA News' EJ Gomez.

The blaze quickly spread through tightly packed homes, forcing residents to flee for safety as firefighters tried to put out the flames.

Authorities have raised the fire to the fourth alarm as it continued to rage.

Firefighters are still working to fully contain the fire as of posting time.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/30/qc-fire-along-nia-road-hits-3rd-alarm

A fire that broke out along NIA Road in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City early Thursday, April 30, reached the third alarm at 1:25 a.m. as firefighters responded to a residential area composed of light materials.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the incident was verified at 12:57 a.m., with visible smoke observed at 1:00 a.m. and a positive alarm declared at 1:02 a.m. 
The fire was raised to the second alarm at 1:10 a.m. as flames rapidly spread through the densely populated community before escalating to the third alarm at 1:25 a.m. 
The incident marked the second major fire in Barangay Pinyahan this year, raising concerns over recurring fire incidents in residential areas largely built with light materials. 
Firefighters remained on site as of posting time, continuing suppression operations to contain the blaze and prevent it from reaching nearby structures. 
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, as well as the extent of damage and possible casualties, according to the BFP.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/30/3rd-alarm-fire-erupts-in-payatas-residential-area-in-quezon-city
Flames engulfed a residential area in Brgy. Payatas A, Quezon City across Melencio M. Castelo Elementary School, Ilang-Ilang, on Thursday afternoon, April 30, 2026, quickly escalating to third alarm as fire tore through houses made of light materials. 
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region (BFP-NCR), the blaze was first reported at 1:14 p.m. and rapidly intensified, prompting authorities to raise it to second alarm at 1:19 p.m. and third alarm at 1:32 p.m.  
Firefighters and fire volunteers from the BFP immediately responded to the scene. 
Reports of explosions were also noted during the incident, which responders and residents suspected were caused by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks. 
Fire suppression efforts continued until the fire was declared under control at 2:15 p.m. before being fully extinguished and declared fire out at 3:06 p.m. 
Barangay Chairman Rascal Doctor said an estimated 150 families were affected, with around 100 houses destroyed. 
Authorities have yet to confirm any casualties.

That is 17 reported incidents for April. Remember, these are only the major fires reported in the national media. Residential fires are up all across the nation and they do not all make the news. This is the tip of the iceberg concerning the real situation in the Philippines. 

Monday, April 20, 2026

Crime Prevention Leads To Immolation

The Philippines is a dangerous country. While the Department of Tourism and nationalists may balk the proof is in the house construction. Every house in the Philippines is surrounded by a wall topped with barbed wire or glass. Many have houses have CCTV cameras recording the area. But, just in case robbers make it past the wall and the CCTV, every house has grills on the windows including second floor windows. It's an incredibly dangerous set up especially if there was a fire and one needed to jump out. 

Recently an 80-year-old couple was burned to death inside their home because all the windows had grills. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/30/octogenarian-couple-killed-in-bacolod-fire

An elderly couple was killed in a fire that razed their two-story house in Barangay Taculing here before dawn on Monday, June 30.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod identified the fatalities as Edison, 80, and his wife Emelyn, 81.
Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip, city fire marshal, said the fire broke out from the garage of the couple’s house at 4:14 a.m.
Masip said Edison was bedridden and staying in the living room while his wife was staying on the second floor.
She said Emelyn’s body was found near the kitchen on the ground floor, indicating her attempt to escape from the burning house.
But since the house was covered with grills, there is a possibility that they were trapped, Masip said.
Masip said the couple was alone when the fire broke out, as their helper would usually visit them during the day.
The fire totally destroyed the couple’s house and damage to property was estimated at P3 million. Fire out was declared at 4:18 a.m.
Cause of the fire is being investigated by arson investigators.

Now, it's not clear what caused the fire or why the couple was unable to get out. But the fact that Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip herself brought up the grills is very telling. It's high time houses are properly inspected  by the fire department and all grills, especially those on second floor windows, are removed. People's lives are at risk.

But the BFP has previously warned of the dangers of grills on windows. It seems their warnings of gone unheeded.

Here is a story from 2020.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1299286/woman-son-dead-in-fire-after-futile-cry-for-help-through-grilled-window

A 21-year-old woman and her two-year-old son were found dead inside a house gutted by fire at the village of San Jose here shortly after midnight on Monday (June 29).

Insp. Dionisio Cayudong, city fire marshal, said Fitty Mae Paderanga and her son, Elwood, were last seen crying for help through the window of their house, which had grills that prevented them from coming out during the fire.

Police said a certain Manolo Quiñones owned the house. Residents were able to evacuate during the fire except for Paderanga and her son, who were trapped inside.

Cayudong said Fitty Mae was the daughter of the Quiñones family’s house help and were living with Fitty Mae’s mother.

Witnesses said they saw Fitty Mae crying for help from the grilled windows.

Rescuers failed to reach the victims as a bigger fire engulfed all the entry areas leading to the house where Fitty Mae and her son were trapped.

Cayudong said investigators were looking into the cause of the fire.

Here is a warning from 2011. 

https://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/2011/03/14/665760/dangers-grilled-windows-gas-handling

FO1 Wendell Villanueva, public information officer of the Provincial Fire Protection Office, warns house owners of the dangers of iron-grilled or barricaded windows.

“House owners who install grills in their windows in order to prevent burglars and other culprits from entering into their house could have also, in a way, put their lives in danger,” he expressed in an interview last March 2, a day after the opening program to mark the observance of Fire Prevention Month.

“Every opening that is grilled or barricaded,” he said citing documents, “offers false security.”

“Life is more precious than property and fire does not spare life,” he added. “The human flesh is so frail that it can even succumb to smoke when trapped by it.”

Here are tips he shared based on “How to Prevent Fire (Safety Measures and Precautions)” book:

• If one should install iron grills on his windows, he should not fail to consider the danger he is going to face in case of fire or other emergency. It would be wise to construct two stairways at the opposite parts of the house whenever possible. At the ground floor, an exit door should never be nailed closed or obstructed by hardly movable heavy objects.

• If one should install grill on his windows, he must provide at least two sufficient openings or two un-grilled windows at opposite sides as far as possible in each floor and opening into an appropriate space for a safe drop.

• One prevalent practice of house owner that defeats the requirement of openings for fire exit purposes is the use of grills that can be opened and closed with padlocks. By padlocking the grill frames, the window is virtually closed. In case of emergency, it is probable that the one trapped in the house may panic and forget where the key is, or the flame might have blocked his way to where the key is kept. It is therefore, wiser to provide merely shutters that can be bolted but can easily be opened in case the windows are to be used for emergency exit.

Here is a report from 2015 where the Manaue City Fire Department called grills on windows a "mortal sin."


https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/buildings-checked-for-fire-safety-compliance

INSPECTORS from the Mandaue City Government and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will check if all commercial, industrial and government buildings in the city have evacuation plans.

Felix Suico, head of City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said they will start their inspection next month.

The City and the BFP vowed to strengthen monitoring of fire safety in buildings, especially factories, following the fire that killed dozens of factory workers in Valenzuela City in Luzon.

“We will force building owners to make an evacuation plan, as mandated by the City Building Code,” Suico said in a press conference organized yesterday by the Mandaue City Public Information Office.

Senior Insp. Joel Abarquez, city fire marshall, said BFP inspectors have checked 184 industrial establishments so far, out of about 1,000.

“Based on the reports, the buildings inspected complied with fire safety rules,” he said.

But Abarquez said he will review the reports submitted by the inspectors, and that he will inspect the establishments himself if he is not satisfied with the reports.

One of the features inspectors check in the buildings is the fire exit.

Abarquez said they make sure fire exit areas are cleared of objects that block traffic during emergencies.

“In some establishments, fire exit areas were turned into storage areas. We warn owners and occupants to rid their fire exit areas of any obstruction,” he said.

He also said that covering windows with steel grills is a “mortal sin”.

“It is a violation of the Fire Safety Code. Putting window grills may secure the things inside the building, but it will not secure the occupants during a fire,” he said.

Window grills reportedly prevented workers of a slipper factory in Valenzuela City from escaping the fire last May 13. At least 73 were killed in the fire.

Abarquez said they always instruct owners of buildings with window grills to remove these.

“Some put the grills back after we issue them permit,” he said.

Abarquez said they only have less than 20 fire safety inspectors in Mandaue City, and that adding more is not easy because of the required training.

Some people replace the grills after they have been issued a permit. That is "a mortal sin." But then again there is a lot of crime in the Philippines. It's a double-edged sword. Either have no grills and risk being burglarized or have grills and risk killing people if a fire breaks out. 

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Residential Fires March, 2026

This is a reported list of residential fires in the Philippines for March, 2026. The Bureau of Fire Protection is on record saying the fire codes does not apply to residential areas which is why so many of them go up in flames during a fire. Being made of light materials all it takes is one spark to cause massive devastation. 

A total of 23 families were affected after a fire tore through a row of closely built homes along Obrero Street in Barangay 898, Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila, on Sunday evening, March 1, leaving at least 10 houses destroyed and 13 others partially damaged, based on initial assessment.

The fire started at around 5:53 p.m. and quickly spread across adjacent structures due to their proximity, prompting residents to rush out of their homes and alert authorities as thick smoke filled the area.

Fire responders raised the alarm to the first alarm at 5:59 p.m., followed by the second alarm at 6:02 p.m., and eventually escalated it to the third alarm at 6:16 p.m. as additional manpower and fire trucks were deployed to contain the blaze.

The fire was declared under control and officially put out at around 6:54 p.m., less than two hours after it began.

In response, the Manila Department of Social Welfare immediately conducted an assessment and validation through its District Welfare Office VI and provided hot meals, material assistance, and hygiene kits to affected families to help them recover from the incident.

The agency said it remains committed to delivering immediate relief and continued support to families affected by disasters in the city.

Residents were forced to evacuate at the height of the fire, while authorities advised motorists to avoid the affected stretch of Obrero Street to allow emergency vehicles and firefighters unhampered access.

As of this writing, authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, and the investigation is ongoing as part of intensified efforts in line with Fire Prevention Month observance.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/06/fire-razes-houses-in-taguig

A fire destroyed houses and affected about 16 families in Barangay Central Bicutan, Taguig on March 5. 

The Taguig City Fire Station reported that the blaze started from the second floor of a two-storey house on Bonifacio Street in Central Bicutan at about 9:14 a.m. 

Firefighters raised the first alarm at 9:19 a.m. before the blaze was put under control at 9:58 a.m. and put out at 10:15 a.m. 

Nine houses were affected by the fire with damages amounting to P225,000. 

The fire affected 16 families or 64 individuals, the fire station said. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

Barangay Central Bicutan said Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano visited the area and met with the affected families. 

A total of 11 fire trucks, 13 volunteers and three ambulances responded to the incident. 


https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/06/over-100-families-affected-in-tondo-residential-blaze

A total of 349 families reportedly lost their homes in a huge fire that hit a residential area in Gate 10, Parola Compound, Tondo, Manila, early Friday morning, March 6.

According to the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the fire started at around 1:18 a.m. and quickly reached the second alarm at 1:24 a.m., the third alarm at 1:31 a.m., and the fourth alarm at 1:59 a.m.

The fire was declared out at around 5:46 a.m.

Firefighters said the blaze quickly spread to other houses, as most of the structures in the area were built from light materials.

Officials from Barangay 20 said the fire caused P800,000 worth of damages.

No one was reported hurt in the blaze.

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.


https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/05/fire-hits-residential-area-in-pandacan

A fire broke out in a residential area along Sampaguita Street, Kahilom I, Barangay 871 in Pandacan, Manila late Thursday night, March 5, prompting the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to raise the alarm to second alarm.

Initial reports said the blaze started in the densely populated community, forcing residents to evacuate their homes as firefighters rushed to the scene to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby houses.

According to the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (DRRM), the fire was first raised to first alarm at 10:28 p.m. before escalating to second alarm at 10:35 p.m.

Firefighters were able to place the blaze under control at around 11 p.m. and later declared fire out at 11:06 p.m.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, as well as the number of families affected and the estimated damage to property, as of posting time.

An investigation is ongoing.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/05/29-houses-razed-in-bacolod-fire

Twenty-nine houses were destroyed in a fire in Barangay 2 here on Thursday, March 5.

Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip, city fire marshal, said that 20 houses were totally and nine were partially damaged.

The fire broke out at 1:15 p.m. and quickly spread as most houses were made of light materials and situated side by side.

The fire that reached the second alarm allegedly started from a child reportedly playing with a lighter and candle at home.

Fire out was declared at 1:26 p.m. No injuries were reported. Damage to property was pegged at P296,250.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/07/4000-families-affected-by-massive-fire-in-qc-residential-area

Around 4,000 families were displaced after a massive fire struck a residential area along NIA Road in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City on Friday night, March 6.

Barangay officials said the blaze escalated to Task Force Bravo as firefighters continued efforts to contain the flames. At least 100 fire trucks responded to the incident.

Residents were evacuated to designated evacuation centers, including Pinyahan Elementary School, where displaced families are temporarily staying.

In response to the incident, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office NCR, through its Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD), conducted field monitoring and an initial assessment of the situation on Saturday, March 7.

The activity was carried out in coordination with the Quezon City Social Services Development Department (SSDD) to ensure an accurate assessment of the needs of the affected families.

Authorities said validation and further assessment are ongoing to determine the extent of the damage and the appropriate assistance required.

The Quezon City government, in partnership with DSWD-NCR, said it is preparing the necessary interventions and assistance for displaced families.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, the fire was first raised to the first alarm at 9:01 p.m., followed by the second alarm at 9:03 p.m.

It escalated to the third alarm at 9:12 p.m., the fourth alarm at 9:22 p.m., and the fifth alarm at 9:44 p.m., before reaching Task Force Alpha at around 10:50 p.m.


https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/07/fire-destroys-52-homes-in-cebu-city

Fifty-two homes were destroyed on Saturday, March 7, in the fifth fire that hit this city during Fire Prevention Month.

Two persons were injured in the fire that broke out at 2:04 p.m. in Barangay Kasambagan, said Senior Fire Office 3 Wendell Villanueva, information officer of the Cebu City Fire Station.

The fire was raised to fourth alarm before it was contained at 3:23 p.m. Fire out was declared at 4:31 p.m., Villanueva said. 

Damage to property was estimated at P3.9 million.

Villanueva said that the fire started in a house owned by one Romeo Sayson and quickly spread.

Villanueva said the cause of fire is being investigated.

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2192536/11-houses-destroyed-in-cavite-fire

A fire of undetermined origin destroyed 11 houses in General Trias City, Cavite, on Sunday.

Police Regional Office 4A reported Monday that the blaze broke out around 10:30 a.m. in Barangay San Gabriel.

It quickly spread to homes, most of which were made of light materials, before firefighters contained it at 12:26 p.m.

No injuries were reported, but 19 families, or 69 individuals, were left homeless. They are currently receiving temporary assistance from local social welfare workers.

Authorities estimated the total property damage at P400,000. Investigators continue to probe the cause of the fire.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2194174/old-woman-dies-trying-to-save-church-funds-from-burning-house

A 75-year-old woman and member of a church choir was killed when a fire destroyed four houses in her family’s compound in Poblacion on Tuesday.

SFO1 Jennifer Salamat, administration chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Paombong town, said Josephine Pineda, the lone fatality, died after returning to the burning house to secure church collection money she was assigned to keep.

Pineda’s house was one of four in the compound razed to the ground by the fire, which raged for more than 30 minutes after breaking out past 10 a.m.

Cristina Bagtas, the victim’s niece, told the Inquirer that Pineda had already exited the house when she ran back to retrieve the church funds. She did not come out. “She could have been suffocated or hit by falling debris,” Bagtas said.

Pineda was a member of the Marian Choir in the parish of Santiago Apostol.

According to Bagtas, her 19-year-old cousin, who was with Pineda, tried to stop her from rushing back but she would not listen. The cousin also attempted to rescue her but was frightened by the engulfing fire.

Salamat said the BFP received the report at 10:43 a.m. and declared the fire out at 11 a.m. She added that the houses were quickly destroyed because they were made of light materials.

She denied reports that fire trucks lacked sufficient water, explaining that the compound had a very small opening, which made it difficult to access the areas engulfed by fire.

“There was a very small opening, the size of a man. It was difficult for us to penetrate,” Salamat said.

Bagtas lamented that hoses could have been used to reach the compound through the fence to help stop the fire.

“Our whole family is very saddened. It was supposed to be fire prevention month, but it happened to our aunt. Her whole body, except for her legs, was charred,” she said.

Salamat added that they exhausted all means to stop the fire and prevent it from spreading to the nearby municipal disaster risk reduction office, Rural Health Unit, and the fire station. Fire trucks from the cities of Malolos and Hagonoy and from the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office arrived to help contain the blaze.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but reports suggest it may have started from a small backyard fire in a neighboring property.


https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/15/2-pwds-killed-in-ormoc-city-fire

Two Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) were killed in a fire that gutted their house on Saturday, March 14, in Barangay Linao, Ormoc City, Leyte.

The victims were identified as Lino, a 90-year-old widower, and Jojo, 48.

The fire that reached the first alarm started 5 p.m. and contained at 5:11 p.m.

Investigation showed that the fire started in the kitchen and quickly spread in the house made of light materials.

The victims were unable to escape because they could not walk and were trapped under the debris.

Damage to property was P8,750. Cause of the fire was unattended cooking.

 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/15/back-to-back-fires-damage-buses-houses-in-rizal

Two separate fire incidents occurred on Sunday, March 15, damaging several vehicles, including buses parked in a garage in Antipolo City, and around 40 houses in Cainta, Rizal.

In Antipolo, a vehicular fire broke out in a garage along Sumulong Highway in Barangay Mayamot at around 1:08 p.m. The fire was raised to first alarm and was quickly extinguished by 1:34 p.m.

Seven vehicles, including five buses and two taxis, parked in the garage, were reportedly damaged in the fire. According to the Marikina Filipino-Chinese Fire Brigade Volunteers who responded to the scene, some of the affected buses were intended for Bicol-bound trips.

No injuries were reported in the incident. The investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, Cainta Mayor Keith Nieto said that around 40 houses were gutted by a fire that broke out in a residential area along the boundary of Filinvest Eastville in Antipolo and Barangay San Isidro in Cainta.

The mayor said that the affected houses were made of light materials.

He immediately ordered the Municipal Assistance Team (MAT) office to take charge of addressing the immediate needs of the affected families.

The fire started at around 3:28 p.m. and was raised to the second alarm at 3:55 p.m. It was declared under control at 4:35 p.m.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/707112/night-fire-hurts-3-minors-in-brgy-apas-cebu-city

Three minors were injured in a fire that broke out at a residential area in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Apas late Tuesday evening, March 17.

Authorities said the fire started at around 11:43 p.m. It affected two houses made of light materials, destroying one and partially damaging another.

The injured, aged 17, 15, and 14, sustained minor burns in different parts of their bodies.

Fire Officer 3 Wendel Villanueva, information officer of the Cebu City Fire Station, said had likely gone to sleep when the fire occurred.

In a statement, Apas Barangay Captain Virgil Cabigon said personnel led the two affected families, composed of six individuals, to temporary shelter at the barangay hall following the incident.

He said the Apas Emergency Response Team (AERT) immediately assisted the three minors, bringing them to the barangay health center for treatment.

Cabigon added that they gave the children proper medication, including prescribed antibiotics.

The also provided the affected families with immediate assistance such as food, drinking water, clothing, and blankets.

He said the barangay currently seeks support from donors, particularly for construction materials to help the families rebuild their homes.

Cabigon said initial information from the affected family pointed to a candle as the possible cause of the fire.

However, he said this is still subject to verification by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO).

According to the report from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Cebu City, the fire was declared under control at around midnight and was extinguished at approximately 12:10 a.m.

Authorities said the fire affected an area of 16 square meters. They estimated damage to property at around ₱24,000.

As of Wednesday, March 18, authorities still investigate the exact cause of the fire and the circumstances that led to the incident.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2199091/fire-hits-iloilo-city-residential-area

Fire broke out in Barangay Gustilo, La Paz on Thursday and damaged 18 houses damaged according to the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center.

The fire started at around 2:11 p.m. and quickly spread across a cluster of homes, initially affecting 17 residential structures.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) raised the alarm to second level a minute later at 2:12 p.m., before placing the situation under control by 2:30 p.m. The fire was declared out at 2:53 p.m.

Authorities said the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

A total of 18 houses were eventually recorded as affected, including 13 that were destroyed and five damaged. The incident affected 19 families or 77 individuals.

Of those affected, 49 individuals from 13 families are currently staying at an evacuation center set up at the barangay hall, based on data validated by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) as of March 20.

No injuries or fatalities were reported, the BFP confirmed.

Multiple response units were mobilized during the incident, including personnel from the Iloilo City Police Office, fire volunteers, emergency medical teams, and disaster response groups.

City authorities said coordinated efforts were immediately carried out, including continuous monitoring, validation of affected households, and dissemination of information to concerned agencies and the public.

Relief assistance has also been extended to affected families.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/22/fire-hits-residential-area-in-qc

A fire broke out in a residential area in Pook Palaris, Barangay UP campus, Quezon City, on Sunday morning, March 22. 

According to Txt fire Philippines, the fire was raised to 1st alarm at 8:07 a.m. and escalated to 2nd alarm at 8:15 a.m. 

The blaze was declared under control at 8:52 a.m. and was extinguished at 9:22 am. 

According to the initial report, a total 30 families were affected by the fire. 

No injuries were reported. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/709098/tisa-fire-destroys-20-homes-displaces-dozens

Dozens of families found themselves displaced after a fire struck a residential area in Sitio Filtro, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City on Monday morning, March 23.

The blaze destroyed at least 20 homes and prompted evacuation.

Initial reports from the Cebu City Fire Station indicated the fire broke out around 11:38 a.m. and escalated to second alarm.

Responders reached the scene within three minutes, deploying at least 11 fire trucks, four ambulances, and 15 auxiliary units.

Of the 20 affected houses, 15 were totally burnt. Five sustained partial damage.

Firefighters declared the fire under control around 12:30 p.m. and fully extinguished it by 3:40 p.m. They estimated the damage at ₱861,000.

Fire authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Officials recorded no fatalities but the incident hurt two persons.

Authorities identified them as a 75-year-old woman who sustained a tear on the head and a 58-year-old woman who suffered a scraped knee and experienced difficulty breathing. Medical responders treated both of them onsite.

In an interview with CDN Digital, Barangay Captain Bernardo “Ada” Lapiña Jr. said most injuries resulted followed some persons’ attempts to help extinguish the fire and save their belongings.

Initial data from fire authorities showed that the fire affected around 25 families, or about 75 individuals.

However, Lapiña said the number may be higher, with around 90 families already submitting intake forms as of this writing, amid ongoing data gathering.

Authorities, he added, moved affected families to Tisa National High School beside the barangay hall, which presently serves as an evacuation center.

The Cebu City Department of Social Welfare and Services has begun distributing intake forms to affected families as part of ongoing relief efforts.

Lapiña said priority needs include food and sleeping materials such as blankets and mats.

He added that some individuals have already reached out to ask where they may drop off relief goods for affected residents.

Lapiña said the barangay council will convene a special session to declare a state of calamity. This would allow the release of emergency funds for affected residents.

He added that local officials also look into reblocking in the area as part of recovery efforts.


https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/25/fire-razes-30-houses-in-taguig

Fire razed 30 houses, affecting 46 families in Barangay Western, Taguig on March 24. 

The Taguig City Fire Station reported that the blaze started at about 7:23 p.m. from a house in the National Housing Authority Garage, Sampaguita Street in the barangay. 

Firefighters raised the first alarm at 7:25 p.m., second alarm at 7:34 p.m. and the third alarm at 7:44 p.m. The fire was put under control at 8:36 p.m. before it was put out at 8:55 p.m. 

The fire station added that the fire destroyed P1 million worth of properties and affected 120 individuals. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

A total of 14 fire trucks, a rescue truck, 39 volunteers and three ambulances responded to the incident. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/24/septuagenarian-killed-in-nueva-vizcaya-fire

A 74-year-old man died in a fire that razed his home in Sitio Mekdew, Barangay Pinayag, Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya on Sunday, March 22.

Police said the victim was a Person with Disability (PWD).

His wife, also a senior citizen, survived the fire.

Police received the report about the fire on March 23 due to the remote location of the area.

The victims’ house is approximately one hour and 30 minutes by land from the town proper of Kayapa, followed by an additional one-hour walk.

Initial investigation said that the fire started in the couple’s kitchen, near the victim’s sleeping area, at around 11 p.m.

She was able to accompany her husband out of their burning house. She returned inside to retrieve some belongings but did not notice her husband reentering the house. He was trapped and killed.

No immediate assistance was provided as neighboring houses were located far from their residence.

She had to wait until morning before walking for about 30 minutes to her child’s home to reveal the fire.

The house constructed from light materials was completely destroyed.

Authorities reminded the public to exercise caution when cooking indoors, particularly when using firewood or dry grass (kugon), to prevent similar incidents.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/25/pasay-fire-razes-20-houses-displaces-120-residents

A fire razed around 20 houses and left approximately 120 residents homeless in Pasay City on Wednesday, March 25.

According to the Pasay Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the blaze hit a residential area along David Street in Barangay 23 at around 4:00 p.m. It was raised to second alarm at 4:20 p.m.

The BFP reported that a 30-year-old man sustained a laceration on his right palm.

A total of 34 firetrucks responded to the incident and managed to place the fire under control by 4:52 p.m. It was declared out at around 5:30 p.m.

Authorities said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Initial estimates placed the damage at P50,000.

Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano immediately ordered the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) to provide food packs and other essential assistance to the affected families.

The displaced residents are temporarily sheltered at a nearby school covered court.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/710185/bedridden-woman-killed-in-talisay-cebu-fire

A 71-year-old bedridden woman died after she was trapped inside her home when a fire broke out in Sitio Alegre, Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City on Thursday, March 26.

The victim was identified as Rebecca Bacalan, who was unable to escape as the fire quickly spread and blocked the only exit of their house.

Fire Officer 1 Jerome Dolauta, fire investigator of Talisay City Fire Office, said the victim was bedridden and could not evacuate on her own.

He said the fire started near the central portion of the area, which served as the main passageway for residents trying to get out.

“Where their house was located  had no way out. The only path to escape was through the middle area, but that was exactly where the fire started."

Another family member attempted to rescue the victim but was forced to retreat as flames intensified and blocked access, making it too dangerous to carry her out.

Authorities said the alarm was received at 11:11 a.m., prompting an immediate response from firefighters.

The fire was initially declared under first alarm upon arrival, before escalating to second alarm at 11:20 a.m. and third alarm at 11:36 a.m.

Firefighters declared the situation under control at 11:52 a.m., and the fire was officially put out at 12:02 p.m.

Firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection, along with two ambulance teams and seven auxiliary responders, were deployed to contain the blaze.

According to Dolauta, initial estimates from the fire office showed that around 20 to 30 houses were affected by the fire, which spread across an estimated 1,800 square meters. Damage to property was initially pegged at around ₱450,000.

He added that they are still awaiting validation from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Talisay City on the total number of affected families and individuals.

Initial information gathered from residents indicated that the fire may have started from an abandoned house in the area, which was reportedly still being visited occasionally by its owner.

Neighbors also claimed that electricity in the structure was left running continuously.

However, Dolauta said the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

As of this writing, authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/26/22-homes-destroyed-in-cadiz-city-fire

Twenty-two houses were destroyed in a fire that hit a slum area in Barangay Zone 4, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, March 25.

Fire Officer 2 April Shayne Ausan, chief arson investigator of the Cadiz City Fire Station, said they received a fire call at 6:55 a.m.

The destroyed homes were made from mixed concrete and light materials and situated close to each other near a coastline.

Ausan said that 31 families were displaced by the blaze, who are temporarily staying at the barangay covered court.

Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of fire which affected 700-square meters in the area.

Fireout was declared at 8:01 a.m. No injuries were reported. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Cadiz has yet to determine damage to property.

Ausan said this is the second fire that hit the barangay, the first in 2016.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/27/fire-affects-43-families-in-taguig

A residential fire affected 43 families in Barangay Cembo, Taguig on March 26. 

The Taguig City Fire Station reported that the fire started at about 11:41 p.m. from a house owned by a 70-year-old man on Taguile Street in the barangay. 

Firefighters raised the first alarm at 11:48 p.m. followed by a second alarm at 11:54 p.m. The blaze was put out at 2:04 a.m. on March 27. 

The fire razed five houses, destroyed properties worth P9 million and affected 120 individuals. 

A family affected by the fire is seeking financial assistance from the public. 

“My family and I are reaching out to you po. We recently experienced a fire incident on Tanguile Street Barangay Cembo. We humbly ask for any assistance you can provide, anything at all would mean a lot to us,” posted Maria Angelicka Oliva on Facebook. 

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. 

A total of 11 fire trucks, a rescue truck, 44 volunteers and local government units, and six ambulances responded to the incident. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/711345/breaking-twin-fires-hit-cebu-city-on-march-30

Two separate fires broke out in different parts of Cebu City on Monday afternoon, March 30, 2026.

As of this writing, firefighters and emergency responders are currently at the scene to manage both situations.

The first incident involved a residential fire in Sitio Bagumbayan, Barangay Tinago. According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Cebu City, the blaze was raised to first alarm as of 2:49 p.m., with firefighting units dispatched to contain the flames.

Just minutes later, a second fire — a rubbish fire — was reported near a mall in the Jai-Alai area of Barangay Mambaling at around 2:51 p.m., according to the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO).

Authorities said responders were already on-site to manage both incidents as of posting time.

Further details, including the extent of damage and possible casualties, remain under verification.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/30/sexagenarian-killed-in-san-pablo-city-fire

A 62-year-old man was killed in a fire in Barangay II-C here on Sunday afternoon, March 29.

The victim was identified as Roland. Three neighbors were injured.

Investigation said the fire started at 1:10 p.m. Firemen put out the fire after two hours.

Damage to property and cause the fire are yet to be determined.

That is 25 reported incidents for March. Remember, these are only the major fires reported in the national media. Residential fires are up all across the nation and they do not all make the news. This is the tip of the iceberg concerning the real situation in the Philippines.