A sudden afternoon blaze in a mountainous area of Cebu City resulted in significant property loss and displaced several families, authorities reported.
Details of the Bacayan Fire Incident
The fire broke out at approximately 4:00 p.m. on December 4, 2025, in Sitio Sugarlandia, Barangay Bacayan. According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the flames originated from the residence of Virginia Basergo. From there, the fire rapidly spread to neighboring houses, all of which were built from light materials.
Firefighters received the alarm at 4:37 p.m. and subsequently raised the first alarm at 5:08 p.m.. Their response was swift and effective. The fire was brought under control by 5:12 p.m. and was fully extinguished just one minute later.
Extent of Damage and Displacement
The incident impacted a total of seven houses. Tragically, five of these homes were completely destroyed, while the remaining two sustained damage. Preliminary estimates from the BFP place the total cost of damage at around P420,000.
The human cost of the fire is also considerable. Eight families, which include 43 individuals, lost their homes and were forced to evacuate. Fortunately, authorities have confirmed a silver lining: no injuries or fatalities were recorded from the incident.
Ongoing Investigation and Aftermath
While the official cause is still under investigation, initial findings from the BFP point to unattended cooking as a possible trigger for the disaster. Investigators are continuing their work to determine the definitive origin of the fire.
In the wake of the blaze, the affected residents have found temporary shelter. They are currently staying with relatives as they begin the process of recovery and rebuilding their lives.
