MANILA — A two-storey warehouse with event decorations along Encarnacion Street in Barangay San Rafael Village, Navotas City, was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon, leaving one employee missing and two others injured.
The Bureau of fire Protection (BFP)-Navotas City reports that the incident started at approximately 12:19 p.m., progressed to a second alarm, and was deemed under control at approximately 2:05 p.m.
Patuloy na inaapula ang sunog sa isang warehouse sa Encarnacion St., Brgy. San Rafael Village, Navotas City.
— Dennis Datu (@Dennis_Datu) January 20, 2026
2 na ang naitalang nasugatan. pic.twitter.com/hjFZbJwQNj
According to BFP Navotas City arson investigator SFO2 Junnie Bert Mendoza, the fire originated inside the warehouse close to the gate.
An employee was apparently performing welding work nearby at approximately 9:45 a.m. prior to the incident.
At first, workers tried to put out the fire with extinguishers, but the flames grew too quickly for them to manage.
Although volunteer fire brigades’ fire trucks arrived first, they also had trouble extinguishing the fire.
Another employee was allegedly left inside the building while Jun Ortanez of the Gagalangin Fire Volunteer Brigade scaled the roof to save a trapped employee.
A few minutes later, the second level’s wooden floor collapsed as the two-storey warehouse’s interior was totally consumed by flames.
The structure was used to store a variety of furniture and event décor.
The estimated amount of damage was ₱5.2 million.
According to the Navotas Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire consumed a significant portion of the warehouse, which stored construction materials and equipment. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, though initial reports suggest an electrical fault may have sparked the flames.
Two workers trapped inside suffered smoke inhalation and minor burns. They were rushed to a nearby hospital and are currently in stable condition.
Unfortunately, one individual remains unaccounted for. Rescue teams are conducting thorough searches within the debris, but efforts have been hampered by the intense heat and unstable structure.
Officials urge businesses and warehouse operators to strictly adhere to fire safety regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The BFP announced it will increase inspection frequency in industrial zones across Navotas.
Authorities are working closely with experts to determine the exact cause of the fire. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
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