SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – A fire razed the public wet market in Barangay Ilocanos Sur here on Thursday, January 11.
SMOKE rises from the wet market in San Fernando City, La Union destroyed in a fire on Thursday, January 11. (City government of San Fernando, La Union FB)
Fire Chief Insp. Jun Wanawan of the Bureau of Fire Protection here said they received a report at about 2 a.m. about an ongoing fire at the market.
Wanawan said firefighters were swiftly deployed and fire out was declared at 6:20 a.m.
“As of this time, we are still conducting firefighting operations on the ground while we are investigating the cause of the fire," he said.
The BFP here was assisted by their colleagues from Bacnotan, San Juan, Bauang, Luna, Aringay, Agoo, Caba, Balaoan, and Naguilian, this province; the Filipino-Chinese fire volunteers, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, San Fernando Community Airport, Poro Point Management Corp., Philippine Red Cross, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, Philippine National Police, and AQN Marketing Corp.
The city government has placed this city under a state of calamity to pave the way for the release of the calamity fund for immediate relief and assistance and recovery of affected stall owners and businessmen.
It said that at least 1,156 stalls were destroyed and damage was placed at more than P200 million.
La Union Gov. Rafy Ortega-David appealed for donations for affected vendors and stall owners.
“Kaprobinsyanihan, I am knocking on your kind hearts to help the stall owners and vendors affected by this unfortunate incident,” she said.
“Makakatulong po ang inyong mga donation para sa ating mga kaprobinsyanihan (Your donations will help those affected). For in-kind donations, you can direct your donations to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) located at North Tanqui Terminal, City of San Fernando, La Union. For monetary donations, you may direct it at the City Treasury Office located on the first floor, City Hall, City of San Fernando, La Union.”