Fire Ravages Residential and Commercial Structures in Pilar, Camotes Island
A devastating fire erupted last night in Brgy. Cawit, Pilar, located on Camotes Island in Cebu, resulting in the destruction of a house, a bakery, and several sari-sari stores. The incident, which occurred on March 15, 2026, caused significant property damage but fortunately resulted in no injuries or fatalities.
Details of the Fire Incident
According to F02 Dickson Casas, the Duty Fire Investigator at Pilar Fire Station, the fire originated in the home of the married couple Edison and Margie Manza. At the time of the blaze, the couple was away in Cebu City, leaving their two sons, aged 15 and 12, at the residence. The children managed to escape safely as the fire intensified rapidly.
The fire alarm was received at 6:59 PM, prompting firefighters to immediately escalate the response to a 1st Alarm status. Through swift action, they successfully controlled the fire by 8:05 PM and declared it fully extinguished by 9:05 PM on the same evening.
Investigation and Impact
Firefighters from Pilar City are currently investigating the exact cause of the fire at the Manza residence. Preliminary assessments indicate that the blaze affected a total of eight structures, including the initial house and surrounding commercial properties. The total extent of the damage is still being calculated as authorities continue their assessment.
In light of this event, the fire department has issued a safety reminder to the public. They urge residents to always turn off electrical circuit breakers when leaving their homes to prevent potential issues with power lines, which can help avoid similar incidents in the future.
