DAVAO CITY (January 2, 2026) — The new year opened with two separate fire incidents in Davao City on Friday, keeping firefighters on high alert as blazes struck both a major commercial center and a residential heritage site on the same day.
In the afternoon, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) raised the fire at Gaisano Grand Citygate in Buhangin to the third alarm. Thick black smoke billowed from the mall’s rooftop, alarming nearby residents and motorists and prompting the deployment of additional firetrucks and personnel as flames intensified.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours, bringing it under control at around 6:15 p.m. Authorities said the escalation to a third alarm indicated the fire’s growing scale and the need for additional resources to prevent it from spreading to adjacent structures. No injuries were immediately reported, while damage assessment and investigation into the cause remain ongoing.
Hours earlier, past 2:00 a.m., another fire had already struck the city.
An ancestral house in Villa Abrille, Barangay 30-C, was gutted by fire in the early morning hours, destroying property described by the owner as mostly antique pieces of significant sentimental and historical value. Despite the extent of the damage, authorities confirmed that no one was hurt in the incident.
Firefighters responded swiftly to prevent the flames from spreading to neighboring houses in the densely populated area.
The two fires, one residential and one commercial, marked Davao City’s first recorded fire incidents of 2026, underscoring the heightened fire risks that often accompany the early days of the year as establishments resume operations and households return to regular routines after the holidays.
The BFP said separate investigations are underway to determine the causes of both fires and assess possible electrical, structural, or human factors involved.
The Davao City Police Office said a fire broke out on the third floor of Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall in Buhangin on Friday afternoon, prompting a rapid evacuation of personnel and shoppers.
As Davao City begins the year, authorities remind the public and business owners to remain vigilant, ensure compliance with fire safety regulations, and promptly report hazards. The message was reinforced by a day that saw flames claim both a commercial landmark and a piece of the city’s heritage.
Paul Trajera Palacio, a veteran news anchor got his Mass Communication Curriculum from University of Mindanao-Davao Campus.
He is the current News Anchor of Newsline Philippines.
