A destructive fire tore through a densely populated community in Cebu City in the early hours of Saturday, December 7, 2025, leaving a trail of devastation.
Fire Details and Immediate Response
The blaze erupted in Sitio Mayflower, Barangay Duljo Fatima, at around 1:00 AM. According to initial reports from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the fire resulted in the destruction of 15 houses and caused injuries to two individuals.
The Cebu City Fire Station received the alarm at 1:04 AM and arrived at the scene just six minutes later. However, firefighters faced significant challenges due to the narrow access roads in the area. Senior Fire Officer 3 Wendell Villanueva explained that the tight pathways and densely populated neighborhood hampered initial firefighting efforts, prompting them to raise the response to a 3rd alarm at 1:26 AM.
Extent of Damage and Displacement
The fire rapidly spread, affecting an estimated area of 120 square meters and causing an estimated P180,000 in damage. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has identified the point of origin as the house owned by Mario Enriquez.
The social cost of the incident is substantial. A total of 27 families, comprising 117 individuals, have been affected by the fire. These displaced residents are currently being sheltered and assisted at the Barangay Duljo Multipurpose Hall.
Containment and Ongoing Investigation
Firefighters managed to bring the flames under control by 1:55 AM and declared a full fire out at 2:13 AM. Villanueva noted that the presence of firewalls in some houses helped prevent an even wider disaster, as the fire originated in an interior section of the community.
An investigation by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the blaze that has upended the lives of over a hundred people in central Cebu.
