A couple died after they were trapped inside a public market that caught fire in Barangay Poblacion, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

The fire broke out shortly before midnight and was put out around 1:45 a.m. on Thursday.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), around eight to 10 stalls selling various merchandise were affected, including stalls selling LPG products. Some of the LPG containers reportedly exploded during the fire.

However, during the clearing operation, the bodies of the couple were found inside their own stall, where they were reportedly trapped.

They were believed to have been asleep when the incident occurred.

“Ang naging casualty natin dito is yung dalawang mag-asawa, naipit or na-trap doon sa loob ng kanilang tindahan. Bale ang tinda kasi nila dito yung mga plastic ware, appliances, at the same time, may mga gasul din sila na tinitinda doon sa lugar,” Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office Spokesperson, Major Guiseppe Tamayo, said.

The victims’ remains have since been claimed by their family.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

“‘Di pa masyado ma-confirm pero ang (inisyal) natin is due to electrical,” BFP Shariff Aguak Investigator, SFO3 Suharto Dalandas, said.

BFP said the area had previously experienced a fire and warned that electrical sparks from a nearby post could pose a fire hazard, urging residents to report such incidents to the local electric company.

“Yung area na yan, nagkaroon na ng sunog before. Yung poste, may mga spark-spark na nangyayari diyan. So yan maka-cause yan ng sunog lalo na kung combustible yung surrounding. Dapat ma-report yun siya sa MAGELCO or electric company,” Dalandas added.