A fishing operation was did not materialize after three fishing boats caught fire at a private wharf in Barangay Tambler, General Santos City afternoon on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

All 18 crew members are safe.

Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responded immediately to the area and drenched first a boat that did not catch fire to prevent the blaze from spreading.

The fire was put out after more than an hour.

BFP said the crew members of one fishing boat was loading supplies for their fishing trip when the fire broke out.

Before they set sail, the boat’s captain reportedly had the engine repaired through welding, which caused the fire.

“Nag-initiate din sila ng hot works doon sa loob ng fishing boat. Allegedly, sabi ng kapitan, meron siyang pinaayos na tambutso malapit doon sa may engine room at doon nag-umpisa ang fire na naging dahilan ng pagkasunog ng fishing boat,” BFP Calumpang Spokesperson, SFO2 Nituel Bacate, said.

However, the fire spread quickly and engulfed two other fishing boats nearby.

“Loaded na kasi ng mga diesel,” Bacate added.

Authorities are still assessing the extent of damage caused by the fire.