A 60-year-old man and his 73-year-old uncle survived after the minivan they were riding caught fire while navigating the road in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Witnesses reported loud explosion as the fire broke out.

Firefighters responded to the area immediately and put the fire out after a few minutes.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the vehicle was destroyed with damage estimated at around P350,000.

Based on investigation, the victims were on their way to buy medicine from Barangay Katitisan, Lambayong town when they suddenly noticed smoke inside the vehicle.

The driver immediately pulled over and he and his uncle stepped out of the vehicle.

“Habang bumibiyahe sila, may bigla silang naamoy na usok, doon malapit sa may gasoline station. Huminto agad ang driver, tapos nung tiningnan nila ang sasakyan, malaki na ang apoy. Tinanggal nila yung sa itaas ng kanilang sasakyan. Pagtanggal nila doon, malakas na yung apoy galing sa itaas ng kanilang sasakyan, parang cover ng kanilang sasakyan,” BFP-12 Tacurong City Fire Investigator, FO1 Francis Jed Zambrano, said.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

MISAMIS ORIENTAL FIRE

Meanwhile, at least seven houses were razed to the ground after a fire hit a residential area in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental past 12 midnight on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

According to a resident affected, the fire broke out suddenly.

“Tulog na ko nakamata ra ko kay alas onse mi natulog kay gikan pa lage sa trabaho nisilaob na. Dako na kaayo. Gisuwayan pa og tabang pero wa na di na makaya dako na kaayo,” a resident affected, Dodong Pojas, said.

BFP said the fire was raised to second alarm, and it spread quickly as most of the houses affected were made of light materials and built close to each other.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

“Possible ang electrical or naa pud possibility ang naa sa kusina basin nabiyaan nila ang ilang gasul either ana,” Tagoloan Fire Station Commander, Fire Senior Inspector Bernil Hapitan, said.

The damage was estimated at more than P400,000.

(With reports from Efren Mamac and James Paolo Yap, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)