A fire razed four neighboring establishments in Barangay Abung, San Juan, Batangas, leaving damages estimated at more than P8 million.

Among those razed were a café and a laundry shop.

The fire spread rapidly due to the light materials at the structures affected. 

According to SFO1 Jonathan Veyra, Chief PIO of the San Juan Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), investigation is ongoing, as of this writing, to determine the cause of the fire.

"Tinitingnan po namin ‘yung mga possibility na kung sino ang gumawa nito o sinadya, kapabayaan, negligence, so, under investigation pa rin po kami," Veyra said.

Initial estimate from the San Juan BFP indicates that the damage to property could exceed P8 million. 

No one was hurt in the fire. The buildings were unoccupied during the incident.

Authorities were relieved that the fire did not reach a gasoline station nearby, averting a potentially catastrophic situation.

They advised residents and business owners to be vigilant and ensure fire safety measures are in place, such as having guards on duty and having fire extinguishers available.

"Dapat siguro may guard kasi wala naman pong sunog na malaki agad, lagi ang sunog natin ay nagsisimula sa maliit. Kung may guard doon, mapapatay po siguro. Malapit [ito] sa gasoline station, maraming fire extinguisher na magagamit doon para mapatay ‘yung apoy, Veyra said.