Flames broke out at a residential house behind the Mangaldan Public Market on the morning of June 7, 2025.

According to residents, the fire started around 6:20 a.m.

Bystanders rescued an elderly person trapped inside as the fire grew quickly. While no injuries were reported, many questioned the late arrival of firefighters.

“Mag 8 [a.m.] na dumating ang firetruck ng Mangaldan, halos sabay na ng San Jacinto. May mga netizen na nag-report naman doon sa BFP, pero matagal silang rumesponde,” Jovilyn Quinto, a resident, said.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Mangaldan denied the claims of delay.

“Walang katotohanan ‘yung sinasabi nila. Noong may nag-report sa amin, naka-responde kami kaagad. ‘Yung mga ganyan, presumptions lang nila ‘yan — sanay na kami sa ganyan,” FINSP. Armando Ramos, BFP-Mangaldan Fire Marshal said.

Authorities also clarified that it only took them about 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze fully once they arrived. But the root of the issue, they said, lies in limited resources.

“‘Yun ang major problem namin, isa lang ang functional [na firetruck], ‘yung isa beyond economic repair na,” Ramos added.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.