DAVAO CITY – A massive fire ravaged the third floor of Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall in Buhangin District for over four hours on Friday afternoon, January 2, 2026, forcing the safe evacuation of shoppers and staff. No injuries or fatalities were reported, thanks to swift emergency response and mall protocols.
The blaze broke out around 3:15 p.m. in the linen section of the department store, quickly escalating to third alarm status. Thick smoke blanketed surrounding roads, prompting a large-scale firefighting effort involving ladder trucks and multiple stations.
Firefighters declared the situation under control by 6:19 p.m., with full extinguishment following shortly after. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is investigating the cause, while damage assessments are ongoing.
Mall staff assisted by distributing water to responders, and operations in unaffected areas may resume pending safety checks.
This incident—Davao City’s second major fire on January 2 (after an ancestral home blaze)—serves as a reminder of fire safety during peak seasons.
Incident Snapshot:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date/Time | January 2, 2026 (~3:15 p.m. start) |
| Location | Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall, Buhangin |
| Affected Area | Third floor (linen/department store) |
| Duration | ~4 hours |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Status | Under control by 6:19 p.m. |