THE Bureau of Fire Protection-Davao City (BFP-Davao City) continues its investigation into the cause and total damage of a fire that broke out at the Toril Public Market in Toril in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2025.
According to initial reports from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), the blaze began around 12:15 a.m. and was officially reported to authorities at 2:20 a.m. Responding fire and police units arrived at the scene just minutes later.
The fire affected a building along Road 2 inside the public market, damaging a stall rented by Annaluz Ubongin, 47, a resident of Upper Piedad, Toril.
Witnesses told authorities that Bryan Valleanas Ortega, 38, a butcher from Dahalia Street, Toril, was the first to notice smoke coming from the stall area. Ortega confirmed seeing flames rapidly spreading and immediately sought help.
Jean Claude Van Rosales Flores, 34, an encoder at the market and a resident of Bangkas Heights, Toril, promptly called Central 911 to report the incident.
Firefighters from the Toril Fire Station, local police, and various volunteer groups responded to the scene.
Fire Senior Inspector Russell Jake Marañon, the lead investigator, said the fire was declared under control by 3:03 a.m.
As of this writing, the cause of the fire remains undetermined, and authorities have yet to release an official estimate of the total losses.
BFP-Davao said further assessments are ongoing to determine the origin of the fire and the full extent of the damage. DEF
