In a dramatic and destructive incident, two separate fires erupted simultaneously in Sitio Univille, Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City, on Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2026. The fires, which began at approximately 2:03 PM, quickly escalated, leading to a frantic response from local fire authorities and resulting in significant property damage.
Fire Details and Response
According to reports from the Cebu City Fire Station, the initial fire broke out in a house owned by Romeo Sayson and occupied by Rodney Sayson. The flames spread rapidly to neighboring structures due to strong winds and combustible materials. In a concerning development, flying embers from this primary fire ignited a second blaze in a different area within the same sitio, creating two distinct fire fronts that firefighters had to combat concurrently.
Escalation and Containment
The intensity of the fires prompted authorities to raise the alarm to the fourth level at 2:58 PM, indicating a severe and challenging situation. Firefighters deployed 12 fire trucks to the scene, working tirelessly to control the infernos. By 3:23 PM, they had managed to bring the fires under control, and by 4:31 PM, the blazes were completely extinguished after over two hours of intense firefighting efforts.
Damage Assessment and Casualties
Senior Fire Officer 3 Wendell Villanueva, the information officer for the Cebu City Fire Station, estimated that approximately 52 houses were consumed by the fires. The total property damage is preliminarily assessed at a staggering P3.9 million. In terms of human impact, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Cebu City reported that two individuals sustained burn injuries during the incident, though specific details on their conditions were not immediately disclosed.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the initial fire at the Sayson residence remains under active investigation by fire investigators. Villanueva noted in an interview with Superbalita Cebu that the origin is still undetermined, stating, "Negative pa ta cause sir under investigation pa... ang kadto ika duha possible aligato to siya," which suggests that the second fire was likely caused by flying embers from the first. Authorities are continuing to examine the scene to determine the exact factors that led to the devastating blazes.
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities of densely populated urban areas to fire hazards, especially under conditions that facilitate rapid spread. The community of Sitio Univille is now facing the arduous task of recovery and rebuilding in the wake of this disaster.
