DAVAO CITY — A suspected electrical short circuit sparked a major fire that tore through Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall in Milan, Buhangin, on Friday afternoon, January 2, forcing the evacuation of employees and prompting an hours-long emergency response that escalated to a third-alarm fire.
According to the Philippine National Police Station 5 (PS5)–Buhangin, the blaze was first reported at around 3:15 p.m. as a 10-70 fire alarm. Authorities immediately established an Incident Command Post (ICP) and launched search and rescue operations while securing the area. At least nine PNP personnel were deployed to assist emergency responders and maintain public safety as firefighters battled the growing flames.
Initial findings from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) indicate that the fire originated at the Linen Department on the mall’s third floor and spread rapidly, prompting authorities to raise the alarm to third level, a classification that requires additional fire trucks and manpower due to the scale and intensity of the incident. Firefighters continued aggressive suppression operations for several hours as thick smoke filled portions of the mall.
As of 5:30 p.m., emergency response efforts were still underway, with mall staff seen outside the premises distributing water to exhausted firefighters and volunteers. While heavy smoke had begun to subside, authorities stressed that the fire had not yet been declared controlled at that time. The incident drew an outpouring of concern from the public, with netizens expressing solidarity with affected workers and businesses and lauding the bravery of firefighters risking their lives to contain the blaze.
At around 7:00 p.m., authorities officially declared the fire under control, marking a crucial turning point in the operation. No casualties have been reported as of this writing, though investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and to confirm the exact cause of the fire. Officials urged the public to remain vigilant and assured that further updates will be released as assessments continue.