Nearly P5 million worth of property went up in smoke during last Saturday evening’s blaze that destroyed a residential-commercial complex belonging to the family of Caramoran Mayor Glenda Aguilar but fortunately spared the gasoline station just a few meters away.
Also burned was a parked white sport utility vehicle owned by the municipal government that was allegedly purchased just three months ago.
Based on the photos circulating on social media, the SUV is a 2026 model of Toyota Fortuner with a sticker price ranging from P1.775 million to P2.656 million depending on whether it is manual or automatic transmission.
A source claimed that the vehicle was procured by the LGU only last August 2026.
The fire also damaged Miguela’s Inn also operated by the mayor’s husband, Jose “Boyet” Aguilar, but fortunately did not spread to the gas station after fire personnel drenched the area with water from the firetruck.
According to accounts of the incident released to the local media by Caramoran Fire Station officer-in-charge Sherwin Valeza, the fire started on or about 8:15 PM of Nov. 7, 2026 in the two-storey building at barangay Bothoan in the población.
The incident was reported by the Caramoran Municipal Police Station to the BFP at 8:26 PM, with the latter immediately deploying its personnel to the site and seeking the assistance of the Pandan Fire Station.
The lone fire truck of the Caramoran station is reportedly under repair in Daraga, Albay at the time of the incident.
The Office of the Provincial Fire Marshal also sought the help of the San Andres Fire Station to assist in the operation.
The Pandan firetruck arrived 11 minutes after the initial call was made, with the fire already raging in most of the structure.
Reports claimed that prior to the incident, Mayor Aguilar and her businessman husband were watching TV at the second floor of the newly renovated residence when they heard an explosion from the ground floor, which was used as a convenience store.
They tried to go down to the ground floor but the heavy smoke prevented them from going to the exit, prompting them to jump from second floor to the ground.
As a result, the chief executive reported sustained a hip injury and is now confined at the Catanduanes Doctors’ Hospital, Inc. (CDHI) in Virac.
Caramoran fire station officials said that the town’s lone firetruck which was delivered in 2015 underwent repair three times this 2026 due to defective clutch lining, starter and power steering hose along with other issues before it was sent to the mainland
Due to its large population of just over 30,000, the municipality needs one more firetruck under current standards that require one firetruck for every 14,000 people.
The fire occurred just a month after Provincial Fire Marshal FCInsp. Eric Caramoan visited the fire station as part of his bid to personally assess the operational conditions of the different fire stations, engage with personnel, and discuss pressing concerns and challenges affecting the effective delivery of fire protection and emergency response services.
The island’s highest ranking fire official also discussed with Caramoran fire officials the station’s operations, personnel concerns, equipment and logistical requirements, facility needs, operational capabilities, and other matters requiring appropriate intervention and support.