At least three old gas tanks caught fire beside a gasoline station in Barangay Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the tanks were already decommissioned and scheduled for disposal.

Authorities said personnel of a scrap metal contractor were on the process of dismantling the tanks using acetylene gas when the fire suddenly broke out.

Based on investigation, the remaining fumes inside the unused tanks may have triggered the fire. However, BFP is still investigating the incident.

“Daghan man gud mga rubbish diha and then while continuous sila acetylene nag cutting sila ni adto sa sagbot sa mga basura,” Macabalan Fire Station Chief Investigator, SFO2 Jesreel Lasaga, said.

Firefighters put the fire out eventually, preventing it from spreading to the gas station nearby.

However, some barangay officials raised concerns after finding out that the contractor allegedly did not secure a required hot work permit before the dismantling operation.

The barangay council is planning to summon the contractor.

“Kining ang conduct ani nga activity maoy cause sa sunog. Wala gyud silay mapakita nga permit o clearance nga mag-conduct sila og grinding ani nga maka-spark mani og kalayo,” Barangay Puntod Councilman Dongkoy Abot said.

BFP also confirmed that no permit was issued to the contractor. The agency continues its investigation to determine possible violations related to the incident.