Fire guts Baguio public market

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines  – At least P20 million worth of market goods went up in smoke during a three-hour blaze yesterday morning at the fruit and vegetable section of the Ba­guio City public market.

This, at the start of the National Fire Prevention Month.

The Baguio City Fire Department is still determining the actual cause of the fire that started at around 2:15 a.m.

Though no one was reported hurt during the huge fire, firefighters had to sift through the rubble until mid-morning looking for clues of the fire.

Victor Calimlim, president of the Baguio Market Vendors Cooperative and one of the affected stall-owners, said there were about 200 stalls razed including those selling strawberries, jams, peanut brittle, and native woven garments, all tourist favorites.

Calimlim pegged the damage to reach P20 million including the structures and the merchandize.

He said each stall has an average inventory of about P80,000 to P100,000 this time of the year, and especially since market vendors expect an influx of visitors for the on-going Flower Festival.

Calimlim hinted that the vendors have resigned their fate to the local government, and they hope city officials shall adopt measures to ease their plight.

City Administrator lawyer Peter Fianza said that although there is an existing plan to put up a new market in the area, this is still pending final action at the City Council.

In 1990, Uniwide signified intentions to develop the Baguio City market area but the plan was faced with strong opposition from market vendors, a series of court proceedings, and eventually, financial problems.

In April last year, another section – the Black Market – just a few steps from the fruit and vegetable section that was razed yesterday – was also gutted by fire due to faulty electrical wiring.

Mayor Reinaldo Bautista has assured vendors that the city will restore the damaged portion of the market.”