Nine people were injured after a fire broke out at the Canlaon booth during the 2026 Buglasan Festival in Dumaguete City on Wednesday evening, according to the festival committee.
In a statement on Oct. 21, the Buglasan Festival Committee said all nine suffered abrasions and minor burns and were in stable condition. They were taken to Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital and Silliman University Medical Center for treatment.
According to the festival committee, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) received the fire call at 9:04 p.m., dispatched units a minute later and arrived at the scene at 9:07 p.m. Firefighters brought the blaze under control at 9:09 p.m. and declared it extinguished at 9:15 p.m.
Initial BFP findings indicated that the fire was "electrical and accidental in nature," the committee said.
Teams from the Provincial Health Office, Philippine Red Cross, Negros Oriental disaster risk reduction and management office, and One Rescue provided medical assistance and transported the injured to the hospitals.
Following the incident, Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria ordered the Buglasan Safety and Security Committee, led by the BFP, to immediately reinspect all festival booths to prevent similar incidents.
"The Provincial Government reassures the public, visitors, and participants that the highest standard of safety protocols is in place," the statement read.
