- Davao Convention Center blazes as strong quake causes chaos
EMERGENCY responders were stretched thin as they faced a twin crisis on Monday morning, June 8, battling a massive structural fire at the iconic Davao Convention and Trade Center along F. Torres Street just as a powerful Magnitude 7.8 earthquake threw the region into panic.
The fire, which rapidly escalated to a critical third alarm, drew a heavy contingent of firefighters before being officially declared a “fire out” at 12:30 p.m.
According to Fire Senior Inspector (FSINSP) Frances Marie S. Sendrijas, chief of the Public Information Unit of the Davao City Fire District, first responders immediately choked off the flames, preventing the blaze from leaping to adjacent commercial buildings.
The fire district has yet to release the estimated damage from the incident.
BFP arson investigators are investigating the scene to determine whether the fire was sparked by electrical surges related to the earthquake or triggered by an independent cause.
The emergency coincided with widespread seismic activity across Mindanao, as a Magnitude 7.8 earthquake centered in Maasim, Sarangani/General Santos City struck the island, disrupting local power grids and triggering widespread evacuations.
Philvocs reported an Intensity V earthquake in Davao City, which nonetheless was strong enough to force the local government to suspend the first day of classes for public schools.
Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and city rescue teams had to balance earthquake protocols while actively suppressing the fast-moving structural blaze.
As of Monday afternoon, the Office of the City Building Official reported no major structural damage to structures in Davao City. Nonetheless, the local government urged businesses to inspect and coordinate with city engineers for a more thorough audit of their buildings to ensure the safety of the occupants.
Photo by RY Llanes
