CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Two people reported to be college students died after becoming trapped in a fire that engulfed a residential and commercial compound along 9th Street in Barangay Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City, on Friday morning, October 9, 2026.
Information from the 911 Emergency Hotline showed that authorities received a report of the fire at around 6:29 a.m. Emergency responders, including the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 10, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, and volunteer fire brigades, immediately proceeded to the scene to contain the blaze and assist those who might have been trapped inside the burning structure.
The fire escalated to the third alarm before it was finally declared extinguished at around 8:50 a.m. Following firefighting operations, responders recovered two bodies from the ruins of the burned building.
Initial reports identified the two fatalities as college students. One was reportedly a second-year psychology student, while the other was said to be a third-year nursing student. However, these details, including the identities of the victims, had not yet been independently confirmed by authorities based on the information available.
A female boarder was also reported missing later that afternoon, raising concerns that additional occupants might have been affected by the fire. Authorities had yet to establish whether the reported missing person was connected to the two fatalities or determine her whereabouts.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities are expected to examine the scene and gather evidence to establish how the blaze started and what circumstances prevented the victims from escaping.
The Bureau of Fire Protection reportedly placed the estimated damage at around ₱800,000, although this figure had not yet been confirmed in the available information.
The deadly incident has raised concerns over fire safety in residential and commercial compounds, particularly buildings where living spaces and business establishments share the same premises. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, including the possibility of other people being unaccounted for.
Further details, including the official identities of the fatalities, the status of the reported missing boarder, and the final assessment of property damage, remain subject to confirmation by the authorities.