A fire broke out at Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall in Buhangin, Davao City on Friday afternoon affecting a limited portion of the establishment.
The incident was first reported at around 3:21 p.m. and was declared under control by 6:15 p.m., according to mall management and the fire authorities.
The mall’s emergency team, together with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Davao City Central 911 emergency response center, fire brigade volunteers, and other agencies, responded swiftly to contain the fire ensuring the safety of all inside the mall.
In an advisory, the mall management confirmed that all employees, customers, and occupants were safely evacuated following established safety protocols, and no injuries or missing persons were reported.
The management emphasized that the safety and well-being of employees, partners, and customers remain the top priority, adding that extensive measures are underway to clear the premises and prepare to reopen to the public as soon as possible.
“All employees, customers and occupants were safely evacuated following established safety protocols. We are awaiting the final investigation report from the authorities as to the initial cause of the fire. The safety and well-being of our employees, partners, and customers remain our top priority, and extensive measures are being taken to clear the premises,” the management stated.
Fire Senior Inspector Frances Marie S. Sendrijas, Chief of the Public Information Unit and Chief of Administration of the Davao City Fire District (DCFD), earlier confirmed to the media that there were no casualties.
According to initial BFP reports, the fire primarily affected the entire third floor of the mall, which houses the department store’s clothing section.
The fire was officially declared out at 7:05 p.m.
A team from the Cabantian Fire Station, deployed since Friday night, said clearing operations inside the mall will proceed only after receiving official clearance from the BFP and DCFD.
Authorities continue their investigation to determine the cause of the fire and assess the total damage.
