Fire hits public market, P1.5M in goods lost

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — An estimated P1.5 million worth of merchandise were lost when the 28 stalls of the Bacolod City North Public Market at Burgos St. were hit by fire at 12:50 a.m. Sunday.

Chief Inspector Pamela Candido of the Bureau of Fire Protection said 12 of the 28 stalls were destroyed, while the rest were only damaged. No one was reported injured, she said.

Initial investigation showed the fire originated from an eatery in one building, possibly due to overheated 40-watt fluorescent ballast.

Firefighters from the city’s Bureau of Fire Protection, and Amity and Chamber fire brigades put out the fire after an hour.

Councilor Caesar Distrito, chair of the market committee, said the City Council has allotted P4 million for the repair of the Burgos market. —(FREEMAN)