A two-story commercial building in Barangay Zone 4, Zamboanga City was razed to the ground evening on Thursday, December 11, 2025, with damage estimated at more than P10.5 million.

Authorities said the fire broke out at past 6 p.m.

The fire spread quickly and was raised to fourth alarm as the structure was old and made of light materials.

The household products that were made of plastic and the footwear that were made of rubber in the establishment reportedly fueled the fire.

Aside from water, firefighters used chemicals to contain the fire.

Medyo nahirapan ang mga tauhan natin dahil sa content ng tindahan, ito, mga goma, plastic, so nag-resort na rin kami sa paggamit ng AFFF (Aqueous film-forming foam), chemical ito para at least kasi kung water lang, medyo mahirapan tayo,” Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Zamboanga City Fire Marshal, Fire Supt. Leo Pioquinto, said.

The fire was placed under control around 7:41 p.m. but was extinguished fully the next day after overhauling operations.

No one was reported hurt in the incident as employees and customers were able to evacuate quickly.

Firefighters said old and brittle wiring at the second floor that may have been gnawed by rats, and may have sparked, may have caused the fire.

“Sa inisyal investigation, ang initial cause ng fire sa second floor daw, nagkaroon ng electrical spark. Siguro dahil na rin sa tagal na ng building, mga wiring niya, medyo  brittle na siguro, kinagat na  ng daga,” Pioquinto added.

BFP reported that the low pressure of the fire hydrant nearby made firefighting efforts more challenging. The agency is set to coordinate with the Zamboanga City Water District to address the problem.

“Patuloy na tinitingnan natin kung saang strategical areas na kung saan pwede natin ilagay yung mga fire hydrant, and at the same time, ang pressure ng water. Sa part ng BFP, ginawa naman natin ng profiling, ginawan na namin kung saan ang mahina talaga ang supply ng water,” Pioquinto said.