Three people were injured when two boats carrying gasoline and diesel caught fire at a wharf in Barangay Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City evening on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

The fire, which was accompanied by an explosion, broke out at past 7 p.m.

The two boats were reportedly carrying several gallons of fuel that were supposed to be transported outside the city.

The fire was raised to second alarm and was put out after more than two hours.

Authorities said the cost of damage was estimated at P200,000.

During the incident, three crew members – a 46-year-old man and his two sons, 17 and nine years old – sustained superficial to second-degree burns.

They were rescued after reportedly jumping off the burning boats.

BFP is still investigating the cause of the fire, as of this writing.

Authorities said the incident did not cause an oil spill.

“When we left the place last night, wala namang umaapoy doon sa dagat. Hopefully, sana nasunog lahat para hindi mada-damage yung karagatan natin,” BFP Zamboanga City Operations Branch Chief, Fire Inspector Oscar Maninang Jr., said.

BFP reiterated that the use of plastic containers for storing and transporting fuel is prohibited for safety reasons. Only metal or GI sheet containers are allowed.

“Prohibited siya sa plastic. Dapat sa metal or GI Sheet, ganun po. Yung ang ina-allow,” Maninang said.

BFP added that they have advised owners of gasoline stations not to sell fuel to customers without proper containers.

“The previous na may nangyari na ganoon. What we did was to write to the gasoline station owner or advising them na hindi magbenta ng mga nababanggit natin na flammable (materials) without yung nabanggit natin na proper container. Sana with the help of the community, they can report to us para pwede natin ma-check dito,” Maninang added.