VALENZUELA CITY, Philippines — A massive fire broke out early on Thursday morning, June 11, 2026 at a prominent transit hub in Barangay Paso de Blas, leaving two people injured and engulfing a major commercial area.

The blaze hit the Valenzuela Gateway Complex (VGC), a busy transportation terminal and commercial center located right along the East Service Road of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx).

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection National Capital Region (BFP NCR), the fire originated from a bazaar or clothing shop inside the complex. First responders reported that the fire started at approximately 5:46 a.m., triggering an immediate first alarm.

Driven by highly combustible materials, the flames spread with alarming speed. The BFP raised the incident to a second alarm just two minutes later at 5:48 a.m., before elevating it to a third alarm by 5:59 a.m. as the fire tore through the densely packed structure. A third alarm deployment requires the immediate response of at least 12 fire trucks to the scene.

Fire officials confirmed that at least two individuals sustained injuries during the chaotic initial moments of the outbreak. Emergency medical teams treated the victims on-site, though their identities and exact medical conditions have not yet been fully released by the BFP.

The physical and economic toll of the fire is expected to be severe. The affected commercial sector of the transit hub reportedly houses more than 100 individual stalls selling clothing, shoes, watches, and various retail goods, leaving local vendors devastated.

Thick plumes of black smoke were visible for miles, drawing crowds of onlookers along the NLEx service roads as dozens of local firefighters and volunteer brigades battled the inferno.

Following a grueling two-hour battle against the flames, the BFP officially declared the fire "under control" at 7:59 a.m. Firefighters remained on the scene well into the morning to douse hot spots and prevent any potential reignition.

Arson investigators are currently conducting a thorough sweep of the charred complex to determine the exact cause of the fire and to calculate the official estimate of property damage. Commuters utilizing the Valenzuela Gateway Complex have been advised to expect delays and partial rerouting as clean-up and safety operations continue.