ZAMBOANGA CITY — A small boat locally known as a jung-kung caught fire at a mini-port in Wee Bin, Baliwasan Seaside, on Wednesday night, October 28, raising concerns over maritime safety and the transport of large quantities of flammable fuel on small vessels.
The fire broke out at around 9 p.m. while the boat was reportedly preparing to travel to Basilan province, allegedly carrying approximately 200 gallons of gasoline. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responded to the emergency and extinguished the blaze using Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), a firefighting agent designed to suppress fires involving flammable liquids. Authorities classified the incident as a Class B fire because of the suspected presence of gasoline and other combustible fuel.
The BFP has launched an investigation to establish the exact cause of the fire and identify the boat’s registered owner. Authorities have yet to disclose whether the vessel had the necessary permits and complied with applicable safety requirements for transporting petroleum products.
City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso also visited the site and ordered a separate inquiry into the incident, particularly the circumstances surrounding the reported transport of a substantial quantity of gasoline aboard a small boat.
The incident has raised questions about the safety and legality of moving large volumes of fuel through small passenger or cargo vessels, given the fire hazards associated with gasoline and the potential risks to port workers, nearby communities, and other vessels.
The mayor’s order for a separate investigation underscores the need to determine whether the shipment complied with relevant maritime, fire safety, and fuel-transport regulations. Authorities are expected to establish whether the boat was authorized to carry the reported cargo and whether appropriate precautions were in place.
As of the latest available information, the cause of the fire remains undetermined. Investigators are expected to examine the vessel and the circumstances leading to the blaze as part of efforts to establish accountability and prevent similar incidents.
Although no injuries were recorded, the incident highlights the potential dangers of transporting flammable substances by sea without adequate safety measures and regulatory compliance.