An abandoned house in Mandaue City was completely destroyed by a fire that erupted in the early hours of Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The blaze, which investigators believe was sparked by electrical wiring gnawed by an animal, such as a rat, caused significant damage to the property located in Sityo Nangka Telecom, Barangay Casuntingan.
Investigation Points to Electrical Fault
According to Fire Officer 2 Mark Anthony Yagonia, an investigator from the Mandaue City Fire Station, the fire likely originated from electrical wiring that had been damaged by animal activity. "We have determined that the electricity, which was gnawed by an animal like a rat, is suspected to be the cause of the fire outbreak," Yagonia stated. The fire started in the staircase area of the house, which was constructed from light materials, facilitating the rapid spread of flames.
Property Was Unoccupied for Over a Year
Despite the presence of electrical connections, firefighters discovered that the house had been unoccupied for more than a year. The owners had previously relocated to Toledo City, leaving the property vacant and unattended. This lack of occupancy may have contributed to the unnoticed deterioration of the wiring, allowing animal interference to go undetected until the fire erupted.
Quick Response Prevents Further Damage
Thanks to a swift response from firefighting units and cooperative efforts from neighbors, the blaze was contained and prevented from spreading to adjacent homes. This rapid intervention was crucial in minimizing the overall impact of the incident, ensuring that no other structures were affected by the fire.
Extensive Structural Damage Reported
The fire resulted in the complete destruction of the second floor of the house, while the first floor suffered partial burning. Authorities are currently assessing the total extent of the damage to determine the financial losses incurred. The investigation remains ongoing to finalize the exact cause and quantify the overall destruction left by this early morning fire.
