Fires down in March, Cebu City BFP reports

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City saw a notable decline in fire incidents in March compared to last year, which the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) attributed to its intensified Fire Prevention Month campaign.

Based on BFP’s latest data, the city recorded a total of 26 fires from March 1 to 31 this year, a significant decrease from 34 fires in 2025 and 39 in 2024 during the same month.

Meanwhile, the estimated damages also fell to P8,786,000, lower than P10,795,000 in the same month last year and P9,602,500 in 2024. Fire authorities reported zero fatalities in Cebu City this year, a further decline from three deaths recorded last year.

However, the number of injuries this year increased to eight, up from two in each of the last two years.

Of the 26 reported incidents last month, 17 broke out in residential areas, while six struck non-residential establishments, and the other three were transportation vehicles caught in fire.

The fire in sitio Univille, Barangay Kasambagan on March 7 recorded the highest estimated structural damages, reaching P3.9 million, the report revealed. The incident reached the fourth alarm status and suddenly became a "twin fire,” which destroyed more than 50 houses in over two hours, affecting nearly 300 individuals.

This was followed by fires in sitio Tambis, Banawa, Barangay Guadalupe on March 2 and in sitio Bagumbayan, Barangay Tinago on March 30, both of which reached second alarm and each recorded approximately P1,350,000 in damages.

Additionally, the basement fire that left behind about P840,000 in a renowned marine theme park at South Road Properties in Barangay Mambaling on March 29 caused the most damage among the recorded non-residential fires.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Fire Station information officer Senior Fire Officer 3 Wendell Villanueva affirmed that the remarkable decline in the number of fires and their damages is the result of the agency's strengthened fire prevention campaign.

“Nakita nato nga adunay pag os-os sa number of fire incidents gikan sa 2024, 2025, ug karong Marso 2026 hasta ang estimated damage dunay pag konhod. Bonga kini sa atong sobsob nga fire prevention effort sa BFP (ug) Cebu City Fire Station,” he said.

He added that the BFP has lived up to this year's fire prevention month theme, "Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi ka Nag-iisa", as it has reinforced its commitment to raising public awareness on fire prevention together with the community.

Through the "Oplan Ligtas Pamayanan" program, he shared that the BFP was able to conduct seminars and fire drills in every sitio and barangay in Cebu City, encouraging residents to become fire volunteers and acquire essential fire response skills.

“Ang Oplan Ligtas Pamayanan dako kaayo ug tabang sa pagkonhod sa mga sunog labi na sa buwan sa Marso kay gihingosgan namo among pag-penetrate sa mga sitio ug barangay alang sa pag conduct og fire safety seminar and drill ug pag organisar nila aron mamahimong fire brigade within their respective sitios,” said Villanueva.

For him, sharing knowledge to the public and equipping them with skills are crucial steps to effectively prevent potential fires that are often caused by reckless actions.

“Fire prevention is education—Og ma-edokar nato ang publiko ug ilang masabtan ang ka importante sa pag amping aron maka likay sa sunog,” Villanueva said.

“Buhaton gyud ni nila kay naa naman silay kahibalo nga ug mag danghag dunay peligro nga sunog nga posibleng muulbo,” he added. — /MRM (FREEMAN)