A devastating early morning fire tore through a riverside community in Cebu City on Saturday, leaving hundreds of families homeless and causing millions in property loss.
Fire Ravages Riverside Community
The blaze erupted at around 5:00 AM on January 10, 2026, in Sitio Riverside, Barangay Tejero. According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire originated from the house of resident Jonathan Duterte. Initial investigation points to a butane canister explosion while Duterte was cooking. The homeowner sustained burn injuries from the incident.
Flames spread with alarming speed, fueled by the light construction materials commonly used in the houses. The fire rapidly escalated, reaching the third alarm before firefighters could bring it under control.
Challenges and Heavy Toll
Firefighters faced significant difficulties during the response. Narrow access roads made it hard for fire trucks to penetrate deep into the sitio, hampering initial efforts. Despite the challenges, crews managed to contain the fire by 6:30 AM and declared it completely extinguished by 7:09 AM.
The aftermath reveals a scene of widespread destruction. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reports that 202 families, comprising 714 individuals, have lost their homes. A total of 93 houses were completely gutted, while 33 others suffered partial damage. Preliminary estimates place the total cost of damage at a staggering P2.4 million.
Aftermath and Ongoing Probe
The affected families are now receiving assistance from local social welfare offices as they begin the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. The Bureau of Fire Protection continues its investigation into the precise cause and circumstances of the fire to determine if any additional factors contributed to the rapid spread and severity of the disaster.
This incident highlights the persistent risk of fires in densely populated urban communities where homes are built close together, often with flammable materials. It also underscores the critical importance of fire safety precautions, especially regarding the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or butane for cooking in household settings.
