DAVAO CITY — More than 700 families are estimated to have been affected by a massive fire that swept through six puroks in Barangay Leon Garcia, Agdao District, Davao City, on Thursday afternoon, October 15, 2026, leaving residents displaced and triggering emergency relief operations and community-led donation drives.
Initial estimates indicate that families from Purok Corias, Purok Bakal, Purok Davao-Visayas, Purok Baybay, Purok Regla, and Purok Mason were affected by the blaze. Authorities cautioned that the number could still increase as the barangay government and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) conduct validation and profiling of affected households.
The fire broke out shortly after 5 p.m. and escalated to the fifth alarm before reaching Task Force Alpha, according to local media reports. Davao City Fire District spokesperson FSInsp. Frances Marie S. Sendrijas confirmed the escalation as firefighters and emergency responders worked to prevent the flames from spreading further.
The fire was declared under control at 8:49 p.m. on Thursday and was finally declared out at approximately 1:20 a.m. on Friday, October 16, following hours of firefighting operations.
Six puroks affected, with hundreds of families facing displacement
The initial estimates of affected families are distributed as follows:
- Purok Corias: approximately 75 families
- Purok Bakal: approximately 200 families
- Purok Davao-Visayas: 163 families
- Purok Baybay: 243 families
- Purok Regla: 81 families
- Purok Mason: approximately five families
The figures total an estimated 767 families, placing the initial number of affected households well above 700.
However, these figures remain preliminary. Barangay Leon Garcia and the CSWDO are scheduled to conduct validation and profiling to establish the actual number of affected families and individuals, identify their immediate needs, and determine the appropriate assistance for each household.
The final count may change as the assessment progresses.
Barangay captain also loses belongings while assisting residents
Among those affected was Barangay Leon Garcia Captain Lita Impis, whose personal belongings were reportedly destroyed in the fire.
According to the information provided by local sources, Impis was assisting residents affected by the blaze and did not expect the fire to reach her own residence. As a result, she was unable to retrieve her belongings before the flames consumed them.
Her experience highlights how quickly the fire spread and how residents, including those involved in the emergency response, were caught off guard by the disaster.
Fire reportedly started at the Alonghas family home
Antonietta Jarabay, a Barangay Nutrition Scholar in Leon Garcia, said the fire reportedly started at the residence of the Alonghas family in Purok Corias.
The exact cause of the fire, however, remains undetermined.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to establish what triggered the blaze and how it spread across the affected residential area. Reports of a possible domestic dispute involving a couple staying at a boarding house have also circulated, but the allegation has not been confirmed by investigators and should not be treated as the established cause.
The BFP continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident as post-fire operations and safety checks proceed.
City government, OVP provide food assistance
The Davao City government immediately mobilized assistance for displaced residents through the CSWDO Emergency Mobile Kitchen, which provided hot meals to affected families and individuals temporarily staying at evacuation sites.
The CSWDO also coordinated with other government agencies to facilitate emergency assistance and respond to the needs of those who lost their homes and possessions.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP), through its Kalusugan Food Truck, served hot meals to firefighters, volunteer fire brigades, and emergency responders who battled the blaze on Thursday night.
These efforts formed part of the immediate response to the disaster, as affected residents sought temporary shelter and basic necessities.
Schools and organizations launch donation drives
Various schools and organizations have begun organizing donation drives to help families affected by the fire.
The initiatives are expected to provide additional relief to displaced households while the barangay government and the CSWDO verify the number of beneficiaries and assess their needs.
As the extent of the damage becomes clearer, the continuing challenge will be to ensure that assistance reaches all affected families, including those whose homes and belongings were completely destroyed.
Authorities and local officials are expected to use the results of the validation and profiling process to guide the distribution of relief goods and other forms of assistance.
Carpenter Street lane temporarily closed
On Friday, October 16, the northbound lane of Carpenter Street in Barangay Leon Garcia was temporarily closed to motorists while BFP personnel conducted overhaul operations in the fire-hit area.
The temporary closure was intended to allow firefighters to inspect the affected structures and address remaining hazards after the blaze.
Meanwhile, displaced families continued to stay at evacuation centers or with relatives as emergency assistance and recovery efforts moved forward.
With more than 700 families potentially affected, the incident has placed significant pressure on local relief operations and underscored the importance of coordinated assistance from government agencies, schools, civic organizations, and the wider community.
The immediate priorities remain the completion of the household assessment, the provision of essential assistance to displaced residents, and the determination of the fire’s cause through the ongoing BFP investigation.