A WOODEN-hulled cargo vessel was destroyed by fire around 1 p.m. Wednesday in Bongao town, Tawi-Tawi province, an official of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.

Petty Officer 3 Marwayne Sanaani, PCG-Bongao station officer-in-charge, said the incident happened at the Chinese Pier in Bongao.

Sanaani said the wooden-hulled vessel, M/L Aizalyn III, was anchored at the pier when it caught fire.

Bureau of Fire Protection personnel immediately responded and prevented the spread of the blaze to other wooden-hulled vessels docked at the port.

The cargo vessel is being utilized to transport basic commodities from Zamboanga City to the 11 islands municipalities of Tawi-Tawi.

Sanaani said investigation continues to determine the cause of fire.