ZAMBOANGA CITY — A wooden-hulled vessel was completely destroyed in a fire while moored at a private wharf in Zamboanga City, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Superintendent Leo Pioquinto, BFP Zamboanga City Fire District marshal, stated that the fire broke out around 5:41 p.m. on Friday, May 8, and fully engulfed M/L Alsamer, a vessel owned by Akmad Hamja.
According to Pioquinto, the M/L Alsamer was preparing to depart from Taha Wharf in Baliwasan village, Zamboanga City, when it suddenly caught fire. The vessel, which was carrying containers of fuel, was scheduled to sail to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
All five crew members of M/L Alsamer escaped unharmed. The Coast Guard Station Zamboanga, utilizing its floating asset and in coordination with BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401) and Zamboanga City Fire District firemen, responded swiftly to the incident.
The responding teams immediately conducted fire suppression operations and implemented safety measures to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby vessels and structures. The fire was brought under control at approximately 11:41 p.m. on Friday and was declared extinguished at around 1:31 a.m. on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection Unit was placed on standby at the incident site, with oil spill response equipment readily available for immediate deployment in case of an oil spill or marine environmental contamination resulting from the fire.
