Republic of the Philippines

Department of Interior and Local Government

BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION
OPOL FIRE STATION
Opol, Cagayan de Oro City

MEMORANDUM

FOR : INSP JAMES DARHON SALON, BFP

Station Fire Marshal
Opol Fire Station

SUBJECT : Progress Investigation Report

DATE : 7 May 2023

AUTHORITY:

a. Section 50, Rule VIII, Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 6975 (DILG Act of
1990) and BFP SOP Nr. IID 2008-01: Operational Standards on Comprehensive Fire
and Arson Investigation and Filing of Criminal Complaint Procedures.
b. Mission Order Nr. 006969-69 dated May 5, 2023

MATTERS INVESTIGATED:

Reference: Subject SPOT REPORT re Regalado Residence Fire dated May 5, 2023
INTERVIEW re: Mario Regalado, Belgium Badilla dated May 5, 2023

During initial investigation, duty investigator determined the fire origin was located
in the kitchen through soot path pattern, extent of damage, scaling or spalling pattern of
concrete and hotspots during first minutes after the declaration of fire out. Specifically, the fire
was caused by the explosion of LPG tank attached to a double burner gas stove located at the
right corner of the kitchen/residence. Explosion and burn pattern suggest a mass leakage by
the suspected LPG tank that might be ignited by electrical current running through the kitchen
appliances inside the residence. The already prevalent leaked gas inside the home rapidly
combusted that resulted to the explosion and rapid fire spread.

FACTS OF THE CASE:

ALU found flammable particulates left on debris samples collected from the fire
scene the composition of which are byproducts of Liquefied Petroleum Gas. This finding does
not imply intentional burning or calculated movement for explosion using incendiary devices.

According to the statement of Mario Regalado during the initial interview, he was
not at the residence and was sleeping at a friend’s house when the incident transpire. He got
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informed by the Opol Fire Station through his contact detail posted on his mail and arrived at
the scene by 0546H, 23 minutes after fire out.
Statements were gathered of one (1) Belgium Badilla, residence of the area and neighbor of
Mario Regalado. He stated that he was watching the morning news when the incident
happened. While watching, Mr. Badilla assert that he heard a loud explosion from his next
door neighbor. The explosion rattled the community and the residence went out including Mr.
Badilla, he further asserted that the fire spread very rapidly after the explosion. He (Belgium
Badilla) contacted the Nazareth Fire Station by 0445H.

No damage to other nearby structures were documented and/or reported.

DISPOSITION:

Final Report will follow

JAZER PUBLICO
Senior Fire Officer 4
Fire and Arson Investigator

Noted By:

RAFAEL BAGO
Senior Fire Officer 4
Chief of the Investigation and Intelligence Office

BFP- QSF-FAID-003 Rev. ØØ (06.21.18) Page 2 of 1