A fire that broke out at a diesel storage area in Maddela, Quirino province destroyed several vehicles and caused an estimated 15 million pesos in damage, fire officials said.

Thick black smoke billowed from a compound in Barangay Dipintin as a tanker caught fire, according to video footage taken at the scene.

Firefighters from the Maddela Fire Station and nearby areas responded and worked together to contain the blaze, which escalated to a third alarm.

Initial investigation showed the fire started while diesel was being transferred from a storage tank to a tanker truck for delivery.

“Bale ‘yung ano kasi nasunog dun sa may storage (tanker) ng diesel… kahapon alas dos ng hapon sumiklab ‘yung apoy dun sa may area. As per our initial investigation, kasalukuyan silang nagsasalin ng diesel from their tank going to the tanker truck for delivery,” SFO4 Joas Bulayang, officer-in-charge of the Maddela Fire Station, said.

At least 10 fire trucks were deployed to extinguish the fire.

Authorities said five parked trucks near the site were also damaged by the flames.

The Maddela Fire Station estimated the damage at around P15 million.

Officials said they are still trying to obtain a statement from the owner of the affected property.