Nine people, including two children, were injured after a festival exhibition pavilion caught fire in the Philippines, forcing visitors to jump from an upper level as flames spread through the structure.
The fire broke out shortly after 9pm local time on Wednesday 21 October 2026 at the Buglasan Festival in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. Video circulated internationally shows flames rising above a large basket-shaped exhibition booth as people scramble to safety and emergency workers respond.
The structure represented Canlaon City and stood at Freedom Park, where local communities had constructed displays celebrating their cultural heritage.
People jump from pavilion as fire spreads
Footage recorded at the festival shows people leaving the upper part of the burning booth as fire engulfs its decorative roof. Philippine broadcaster GMA News reported that video filmed by Leochelle Mansueto Borcelas captured people jumping from the structure.
The basket-shaped display had been decorated to represent Canlaon City’s produce and identity. It was one of the competing local-government exhibition booths at the annual festival.
Nine injured, including two children
The festival’s organising committee initially reported that the nine people suffered burns and abrasions and were in stable condition. They received treatment at Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital and Silliman University Medical Center.
Subsequent reporting by the Philippine News Agency, carried by The Chronicle, said two of those injured were children aged five and eight. Authorities described injuries ranging from burns and abrasions to a sprain and a fracture. All nine were reported safe, although that does not mean every patient had been discharged.
In a further update published on 25 October, Bombo Radyo Bacolod reported the local fire marshal’s confirmation that six patients had left hospital while three remained under care, all in stable condition. No deaths were reported.
What caused the Buglasan Festival fire?
The Philippines’ Bureau of Fire Protection is investigating. Officials initially described the blaze as apparently accidental and electrical in origin, but a final cause has not been established.
Investigators found a loose multi-socket electrical outlet near a stairway in the pavilion, according to the Philippine News Agency. On 25 October, Dumaguete fire marshal Erwin Johannes Gimotea told Bombo Radyo that the outlet was close to polystyrene and other combustible materials and might have overheated.
That is a preliminary assessment, not proof that the outlet started the fire or that any particular person was responsible.
Fire brought under control within minutes
According to the festival committee, firefighters received the call at 9.04pm, arrived at approximately 9.07pm, and brought the fire under control by 9.09pm. It was declared extinguished at 9.15pm.
Two police officers initially attempted to use an extinguisher before retreating from the heat, then helped evacuate people, according to a statement from provincial police reported by Brigada News.
Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria ordered safety inspections of the remaining festival booths, including their electrical installations and temporary structures. Canlaon City officials also pledged help for those injured.
Watch: footage of the Philippines festival fire
The following video, published by news.com.au, shows the fire and emergency response. It contains distressing scenes of a building burning and people escaping.
Video: news.com.au on YouTube.
Sources: GMA News; Philippine News Agency reporting; Bombo Radyo Bacolod, 25 October; Brigada News.
