BAGUIO CITY – A fire hit parts of the public market here on Saturday night, March 11.
MAYOR Benjamin Magalong (second from right) inspects parts of the Baguio City Public Market razed by a fire on Saturday night, March 11. (Zaldy Comanda)
One-thousand, six-hundred forty-two out of the 3,900 stalls were razed and damage to property was estimated at P24 million.
City Fire Marshal Supt. Marisol Odiver said the fire originated at the Block 4 extension area at the “wagwagan” or second-hand clothing section.
The fire broke out at around 11 p.m. and razed the entire Block 4 and most of Block 3 and the “caldero” or cookware section. Fire out was declared five hours later at 4:38 a.m. on Sunday, March 12.
Among those razed in Block 4 were the Public Order and Safety Division office and two cooperative offices.
The fire damaged a brand-new pick-up truck owned by the city government parked in front of Block 4 and three motorcycles.
Firemen were able to contain the fire in Block 3 before it completely engulfed the area.
The fire spread quickly because most of the merchandise sold in the affected areas were dry goods, carinderia, fruits and vegetables, and second-hand clothes.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong here was present at the site to help manage the fire.
Magalong returned on Sunday morning and met affected vendors and assured them that the city government will provide assistance.
"We are here today, with engineers for the immediate relocation of your merchandise. We will use the sides of the road for your temporary livelihood, until we can restore our market that was burned to normal," said Magalong.
He said affected vendors are required to register at their designated place at Rillera Building for assistance on Sunday from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
The city government will discuss providing financial assistance to affected vendors.
"A little patience and patience first, we don't like this incident, but you hope that we will immediately provide a solution to your grievances and we will fix it immediately so that we can return the market to normal operation," Magalong said.
City Market Superintendent Ceasar Emilio said the Baguio City Public Market is open to the public, except for the burned areas in Block 4 and Block 3 and caldero section.
He promised immediate action to enable affected vendors to resume operations.
Odiver barred owners from entering their burned stalls while firemen are extinguishing remaining fire or smoke in the market.
Arson probers have yet to determine the cause of the fire.