The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Virac has yet to determine the origin and cause of the blaze that consumed a two-storey residential house in Gogon Centro last Aug. 4, 2026.
According to Municipal Fire Marshal FSINSP Dennis Tadoy of the Virac Fire Station, the fire was believed to have started at 9:25 PM that evening, with the incident reported to the station 10 minutes later.
Upon receiving the information, SFO1 Anthony Aldave of the BFP Special Rescue Force (BFP-SRF) Catanduanes immediately contacted the station.
Buzzard Fire Truck driven by SPO1 Nick Anthony Llarena together with FO1 Jeffrey Bitancur, FO1 John Ronald Balila, FO1 Eldrian Jason Balatay, and FO1 Patrick Buentiempo was dispatched to the scene, followed by the Osprey Fire Truck driven by FO1 John Charles Talavera, together with FO1 Eli Jav Guerrero, FO1 Henry Dolor Jr., FO1 Andy Posilio Jr. and FO1 Clinton Velasco.
At the Gogon highway junction, team leader SFO1 Llarena sized up the situation and initiated firefighting operations, with SINSP Tadoy subsequently assuming command as ground commander.
The operation was later backed up by the BFP-SRF rescue truck with five personnel – SFO1 Dennis Gregorio, FO1 Calvin Drake Triumfante, FO2 John Amcil Abraham, FO2 Liezel Tanael and FO1 Aldrin Torzar – along with Fire Engine 1 with four personnel – SFO1 Sherwin Magtagñob, FO3 Michelle Tan, FO3 Sherwin Gianan and FO2 Rolly Socito Jr.
Also at the scene were Virac FS personnel FO3 Christine Joy Gianan and FO1 Mikee Lita who served as sentinel.
The Virac Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) deployed a water tanker while a fire truck from the Bato Fire Station, manned by FO3 Vannessa Rose Agripa, FO2 John Carlo San Ramon, FO1 Cloyd Roland Barando, FO1 John Cedric Bayonito and FO1 John Eric Padilla, also responded to the scene.
San Andres Fire Station Fire Marshal SFO4 Jose Matienzo Jr. also assisted in the firefighting operations together with two more men from Bato Fire Station, FO2 Rene Carlo Molina and FO1 Barro.
Initial investigation conducted by the fire and arson investigator of the Virac Fire Station stated that the structure that burned was owned by the late Mrs. Estrilita Tioxon and at the time occupied by two families, one on each floor.
Mrs. Revohra T. Zuniga, 50, and her brother, Rebolex, 46, was residing at the ground floor while the second floor was occupied by Mrs. Juliet S. Araojo, 56, her husband Gregorio L. Araojo, and their nephew, Steffi T. Soneja, 11.
Sharing the same floor with the Araojos were Wincell Ann Go, 28, her son James Grey, 7, and house helper Joy Fernandez.
The BFP report said that while the building’s columns and beams were made of reinforced concrete and the exterior wall was made of CHB, a significant portion of the structure was built using combustible light materials.
One of the rooms at the ground floor was of wood and plywood, the flooring above was wooden supported by wood joists, the ceilings were made of plywood and the GI roofing was supported by wooden trusses and purlins.
The blaze affected a floor area of approximately 160 square meters, with property damage estimated at P240,000.
There were no civilian or BFP casualties during the incident, with the fire declared under control at 10 PM and fire out 35 minutes later.
Meanwhile, another fire damaged a house at sitio Luminangas, Danicop, Virac last Sunday evening, Aug. 9, 2026, at 10:50 PM.
Virac Fire Marshal SINSP. Dennis Tadoy said no one was hurt in the blaze that burned the building occupied by Lilia Tabirara, 79, and grandson Laurenz, 15.
A firetruck from BFP Virac was joined by the BFP-SRF rescue truck and the Virac MDRRMO ambulance in the operation.
Upon being informed of the incident, fire personnel responded to the scene in six minutes and declared the fire under control at 11:06 PM and fire out at 11:22 PM.