CEBU CITY: A significant fire engulfed a restaurant inside a department store in Talisay City on Sunday morning, resulting in damages exceeding PHP8 million. The incident, which began at 9:55 a.m., quickly escalated, prompting a second alarm within 10 minutes, as reported by Talisay City Fire Officer 2 Mar Dee Auxtero. Remarkable efforts by firefighters, including reinforcements from neighboring Cebu City and Minglanilla town, brought the blaze under control within 40 minutes. The fire was completely extinguished by 10:46 a.m. Auxtero confirmed to the press that there were no injuries, and the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
According to Philippines News Agency, another fire incident occurred in Barangay Apas at 5 a.m., affecting a residential area. This earlier fire resulted in the total destruction of three houses and partial damage to four others, with an estimated loss of PHP1.5 million. The incident displaced six families, totaling 18 individuals. Benjie Sevilla, a 23-year-old local, suffered first-degree burns on his back and left arm while attempting to salvage belongings from his house. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire originated from a 500-square-meter establishment. The series of fire incidents on New Year's Eve has brought a somber start to the year for the affected residents of Cebu City.