BACOLOD CITY – Sugar Regulatory Administration Administrator Pablo Luis "Paul" Azcona visited the Victorias Milling Company (VMC) in Barangay 17, Victorias City, Negros Occidental, a day after its raw sugar warehouse was razed by a fire on Sunday night, August 27.

SUGAR Regulatory Administration Administrator Pablo Luis ‘Paul’ Azcona visits Victorias Milling Company in Barangay 17, Victorias City, Negros Occidental on Monday, August 28, after a fire razed its raw sugar warehouse on Sunday, August 27. (Photo courtesy of SRA)
Azcona said that he was saddened watching footages of the incident. “But I don't think it will hamper VMC's efforts to start the crop year,” he said.
Fire Officer 1 Melvin Juson, arson investigator of the Victorias City Fire Station, said they received a fire call around 6:52 p.m.
He, however, said that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has no lead yet on the cause of fire or which part of the building the blaze emanated.
Juson said the fire also razed the clinic, labor hall, and other rooms and offices of the VMC as these structures are connected to one building.
No injuries were reported and fire out was declared at 11:02 p.m., according to Juson.
Juson said the VMC has yet to provide the amount of damage to property.
Meanwhile, Azcona said the VMC will complete their assessment on Monday but he is positive that they can open on September 1, adding that the fire “had minimal effect on the sugar supply.”
"In hardship, greater things come out, and I know you guys will come out better," Azcona told VMC.
In December 2021, a fire also razed a building of VMC, affecting its New Bagas Shed Building that stores sugarcane residue or pulp, locally known as “bagaso,” which is used as fuel by VMC’s power plant.