Early Morning Fire Ravages Residential Area in Lapu-Lapu City
A devastating fire struck Sitio Sto. Niño in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, in the early hours of Saturday, February 28, 2026, leaving a trail of destruction and displacement. The blaze, reported at 2:58 a.m., quickly escalated, affecting multiple homes and forcing residents to flee their properties.
Impact and Damage Assessment
According to data from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the fire impacted 11 families, comprising 35 individuals. Initial assessments revealed that 13 structures were destroyed, with one additional property sustaining partial damage. Among these, six owner-occupied houses were completely razed, while two others suffered partial destruction. Three sharers residing in the totally damaged homes were also affected, adding to the humanitarian crisis.
Fire investigator FO1 Vincent Rhey Reyes estimated the initial property damage at approximately P1.25 million, primarily targeting concrete residential buildings. He confirmed that no injuries or casualties were reported, providing a silver lining amidst the chaos. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with electrical failure being considered a potential factor, though authorities emphasize that inquiries are ongoing to determine the exact origin.
Emergency Response and Assistance Efforts
The Lapu-Lapu City Fire District responded promptly, raising the incident to a second alarm by 3:09 a.m. and declaring it under control by 4:13 a.m. To support the affected families, the CSWDO conducted onsite profiling and verification to expedite financial aid. Under their assistance program, families with totally destroyed homes will receive P30,000, those with partial damage will get P15,000, and sharers will be allocated P8,000 each.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) also assessed the area, noting that some houses were unoccupied during the fire, which reduced the number of individuals directly impacted. An evacuation center was established at the Basak Barangay Hall, where seven families sought refuge, while four others opted to stay with relatives or in alternative shelters. The City Government, through the CDRRMO, provided immediate relief by distributing breakfast and lunch, followed by food and non-food items around 1 p.m.
Additional Incident and Community Safety
In a separate but related event, authorities responded to a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank leak in Sitio Seawage, Barangay Pusok, on Friday evening, February 27. The incident, which occurred around 9:30 p.m., involved multiple LPG tanks stored near residential houses. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, thanks to the rapid intervention by the City Fire District, Lapu-Lapu City Rescue, fire volunteers, and local police.
This fire underscores the importance of robust disaster preparedness and community resilience in urban areas. As verification and profiling efforts continue, local officials remain committed to supporting the displaced families and ensuring their safety and recovery in the aftermath of this tragic event.
