By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

BOAT FIRE. Firefighters respond to a speedboat blaze that injured 10 people, including the mayor of Hadji Muhtamad town in Basilan province, on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) at a private wharf in Barangay Baliwasan, Zamboanga City. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, which broke out shortly after the vessel left the dock. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga City Fire District)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A town mayor from Basilan province and nine others were injured when the speedboat they were riding caught fire shortly after leaving a private wharf in Barangay Baliwasan on Wednesday.

Zamboanga City Fire District marshal Supt. Leo Pioquinto said the fire broke out at around 5:02 p.m., just minutes after the vessel departed the wharf.

Among those injured was Hadji Muhtamad Mayor Arsina Nanoh, who sustained burn injuries. The other injured passengers included a police escort, staff members, and family relatives of the mayor. All were brought to a nearby hospital.

Staff Sgt. Munar Salawi, one of Nanoh’s police escorts, told a local radio station that the fire erupted roughly 10 meters from the wharf after a spark from the engine ignited the vessel.

“We managed to save the mayor and the children and immediately jumped overboard,” Salawi recounted, adding that their personal belongings, including service firearms, were lost in the fire.

Salawi said there were around 15 people onboard the speedboat, which was powered by two 250-horsepower outboard engines.

Due to security concerns, speedboats are a common mode of transport for local officials traveling between Basilan and Zamboanga City.

Pioquinto estimated the damage at around PHP1 million.

Investigators have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire, which was fully extinguished by firefighters at around 5:29 p.m. (PNA)