Two fire incidents struck Mandaue City and Talisay City in Cebu, and left over P10 million in damages.

A fire broke out in a furniture store and showroom at around 2 p.m. on January 23, 2025 in Hernan Cortes Street, Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.

As the blaze spread quickly and engulfed the establishment, firefighters had to raise the fire to third alarm. A fire-out was declared at 3:04 p.m.

Damage was pegged at about P10 million.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), as of this writing, is yet to determine the cause of the fire.

"After nila og cater sa ilang customer nakadungog sila og pakâ-pakâ sa second floor, so amo pa ni i-verify amo pa ikuan sa taas og unsa gyud ang possible," FO1 Neil Ian Amancio, lead investigator, said. 

Meanwhile, five houses were razed to the ground while one was damaged partially by a separate fire in Talisay City, south Cebu dawn on January 23, 2025.

The fire occurred in Sitio Laray, Barangay San Roque at past 1 a.m.

The alarm was received at 1:06 a.m., and was raised to first alarm. The fire was declared under control by 1:26 a.m. A fire-out was declared four minutes after.

Damages reached over P700,000. 

According to the Talisay City Fire Station, the fire started at a hut that was for rent.

One of the angles pursued by the fire investigator is arson after it was learned that a person under alleged influence of illegal drugs had expressed intention on setting the shack on fire.

(with Nikko Sereno/GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak)