BACOLOD CITY – A fire razed 31 stalls inside the Bacolod Central Market on Bonifacio St., Barangay 12, this city, on Friday the 13th.
FIRE Supt. Jenny Mae Masip, Bacolod fire marshal, shows to Mayor Albee Benitez a portion of the Bacolod Central Market in Barangay 12 razed by a fire on Friday, Dec. 13. (Photo courtesy of BFP-Bacolod)
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod reported that 18 stalls were totally and 13 were partially damaged in the fire that broke out at around 2:50 a.m.
The fire reached second alam and affected tailoring shops, sari-sari stores, jewelry shop, and eateries, Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip, city fire marshal, said.
Masip said damage to property was placed at P4.7 million. Fire out was declared at 3:20 a.m. No injuries were reported.
Since the structure involved is a government property, Masip said that investigation has been taken over by the BFP-Western Visayas.
She added that the BFP-Bacolod has been tasked to secure the fire scene for further investigation.
Masip said the market was opened later during the day to allow vendors to check on their stalls and clean up.
Mayor Albee Benitez met and said the city government will find a temporary location for vendors.
He is hoping that vendors would continue their operations in another location.
Benitez said that he will discuss with the City Council assistance that will be provided to the displaced vendors. “We will assess because they also deserve to be compensated with their losses because nobody wanted this to happen,” he added.
Benitez said that if opening of the market would not hamper the investigation, the fire scene is secured, and the city has assessed the extent of damage, the city will allow partial reopening.
He said that two persons were arrested for allegedly stealing items.
The mayor said that the Office of the Building Official was tasked to assess and he has asked the City Engineering’s Office to come up with a plan on how to improve the market structure.
“Maybe, it will be built back better. Let’s see,” Benitez said, adding that they will collaborate with the vendors for the reopening.
He said that he has directed the BFP-Bacolod to come up with an audit report on the three major public markets and make a recommendation on how to mitigate or prevent future fire incidents.