DPWH–CAR Office rocked by fire; Financial Records Room damaged

Baguio City, Philippines – A fire broke out at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office in the Cordillera Administrative Region on Wednesday afternoon, damaging about two square meters of the office.

The fire was brought under control by the Baguio City Fire Station at 5:36 p.m. and was fully extinguished at 5:43 p.m., about 18 minutes after the incident was reported to the fire agency at 5:25 p.m.

According to Fire Marshal Anthony Dangatan, as cited by the Baguio City Public Information Office, the fire originated in the Financial Management Records Room. He said a utility worker noticed smoke coming from the area, prompting him to alert his colleagues. They attempted to control the fire using four 10-lb fire extinguishers until firefighters arrived.

“He immediately alerted the security personnel and drivers, and together they attempted to control the fire using four 10-lb fire extinguishers. Their efforts continued until personnel from the Baguio City Fire Station arrived at the scene and took over the fire suppression operations,” Dangatan was quoted as saying.

In a statement issued on January 14, DPWH-CAR confirmed the fire incident at the regional office, noting that approximately two square meters of the building were affected. The agency added that no DPWH employee was injured in the fire.

“The Department is currently working in close coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Local Government of Baguio City to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the incident. Additional information will be provided by the Department as soon as it becomes available,” the agency stated

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This is not the first DPWH office to be hit by a fire following the flood control controversy last year. It can be recalled that three offices of the DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards at the DPWH compound in Quezon City were also gutted by fire in October 2025.