A Grade 6 teacher's quick thinking and composure prevented a widespread blaze on the first day of classes at Sudtonggan Elementary School in Lapu-Lapu City on Monday, June 8, 2026.
Nicolai David Kong, 36, who serves as the school's assistant disaster risk reduction coordinator, suppressed an electrical fire in a Grade 3 classroom before Bureau of Fire Protection personnel arrived on the scene.
The incident happened during the morning session class of Grade 3 adviser Maria Leonizo, 28. According to Leonizo, she turned on the ceiling fan but turned it off after it did not function. Moments later, a student noticed a spark from the ceiling fan, prompting Leonizo to immediately evacuate the class.
Hearing Leonizo's cry for help, Kong rushed out and encountered another teacher holding a bucket of water to put out the fire, a move that could have resulted in electrocution or worsened the blaze. Kong explained that using water on an electrical fire is dangerous, and he instead used a fire extinguisher to safely put out the flames.
Kong stated, "By instinct, knowing that I have a little knowledge on how to put out a fire, I went out, ran, and saw a teacher carrying a bucket of water, which is strictly not allowed because the fire was electrical." His quick action ensured the safety of students and staff, preventing a potentially catastrophic incident.
