A food delivery rider was injured after a gas stove explosion triggered a fire that engulfed a boarding house in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City, early Thursday morning, July 9, 2026.
Fire Incident Details
The fire broke out at around 6:00 a.m. at a boarding house located on Balaga Drive, Sityo Cecalco, Barangay Labangon. The victim was identified as Christopher Litegio, 34, a food delivery rider who rented a unit in the building. Litegio sustained burns on his face and his hair was singed in the incident.
According to Litegio in an interview with Superbalita Cebu, he was cooking breakfast when the gas stove suddenly exploded, causing the fire to spread rapidly. Fellow residents attempted to extinguish the flames, but the intensity of the blaze prevented them from controlling it.
Response and Assistance
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) raised the fire to first alarm at 7:51 a.m. Barangay Captain Derick Yap of Labangon immediately responded to provide emergency assistance to the victims. Yap expressed gratitude that the fire did not spread to neighboring houses.
A total of seven families, comprising 34 individuals, were temporarily evacuated to the Labangon gym. The estimated property damage from the fire is placed at P225,000.
