ZAMBOANGA CITY — A two-hour fire destroyed two wooden watercraft at a local wharf Thursday night, injuring three people and causing an estimated P200,000 in damage, fire officials said Friday.
Reports said that the blaze broke out at 7:48 p.m. at the Rio Hondo Finger Wharf in Barangay Rio Hondo.
The Zamboanga City Fire District disclosed that the fire quickly reached a second alarm as crews worked to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby stilt houses and a bridge connecting to Barangay Mariki.
Three residents who were aboard the vessels when the fire started — identified as Manuel Garcia, Lita Reyes, and a minor, Jose Santos Jr. — were treated at the scene for burns and smoke inhalation. No fatalities were reported.
Firefighters and local residents contained the fire by 9:55 p.m. The vessels were owned by Jihad Baiting and Nusri Hataman Omar.
“Everything I had for my fishing business was on that boat,” Baiting said. “It’s a complete loss.”
Arson investigators are looking into engine electrical faults or fuel handling mishaps as potential causes, noting these are common risks for motorized wooden vessels. Officials said there is currently no evidence to suggest the fire was linked to smuggled fuel, despite local speculation.
The ZCFD said the initial damage estimate of P200,000 may increase once a full inventory of cargo and equipment is completed.