7 houses, 1 commercial building damaged in Tandag fire

Among the damaged structures are a newly built house and a commercial building. Photo taken 21 January 2026 by QUEENIE CASIO/MindaNews

TANDAG CITY (MindaNews / 23 January) – Seven houses and one commercial building were burned in a fire that hit Purok Pag-asa, Barangay Dagocdoc in Tandag City on Wednesday afternoon.

Four structures were razed while four others sustained partial damage in the fire that took firefighters almost an hour to suppress. It was reported at 3:45 p.m. and declared under control at 4:22 p.m. Authorities placed the damage at P900,000.

The damaged commercial building housed a shawarma stall that just opened on January 9, a burger stand, and a grocery store.

One person was reported injured in the left leg by debris. Eleven boarders or renters were affected.

Among those affected was Bretchie Q. Dumanig, whose newly constructed house completed only recently was destroyed, along with its furnishings and personal belongings.

“This was from our hard-earned money and my bonus,” Dumanig said, showing sadness as he stood watching what remained of what was once home.

Fire suppression efforts involved multiple units from Bureau of Fire Protection-Tandag, Tago, and Bayabas and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PDRRMO) after a second alarm was raised.

Fire Inspector Bomen T. Lofranco, Acting City Fire Marshal of Tandag City said the fire originated from the house owned by Emily Potenciano, based on statements from witnesses. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Reyveen John Geli, officer-in-charge of the City DRRMO, said the local government has provided immediate relief to residents affected by the fire. (Queenie Casio/MindaNews)