Minglanilla market fire hits 42 stalls, causes ₱300K in damage

CEBU CITY, Philippines — At least 42 stalls were damaged in a fire that broke out at the Ward 1 Public Market in Minglanilla, Cebu, on Friday morning, August 14, the Minglanilla Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

The third-alarm fire caused an estimated P300,000 in damage.

The BFP Minglanilla received the call for assistance at 9:57 a.m. and dispatched fire trucks, which arrived at the scene at around 9:59 a.m. The fire was raised to third alarm at 10:05 a.m. after firefighters encountered a sizeable blaze upon arrival.

FO2 Wilmar Alicante of the BFP Minglanilla said firefighters at the scene called for backup after the fire was raised to third alarm. Responding units included BFP fire trucks from Minglanilla, San Fernando, Talisay and Naga, as well as Talisay-based volunteers and an LGU Talisay tanker.

The fire was declared under control at 10:35 a.m. and was declared out at 10:50 a.m., according to the BFP incident report.

42 stalls affected

Alicante said around 42 stalls were affected by the fire.

Minglanilla Acting Mayor Lheslen Abella Enad, meanwhile, placed the initial number of affected stalls at 40 and estimated the initial structural damage at around ₱300,000.

However, the number of affected individuals has yet to be determined.

Alicante said the fire appeared to have started near a newly constructed building, based on accounts from civilians. Firefighters, however, have yet to determine the exact area where the blaze originated.

No casualties reported

No casualties or injuries were reported in the fire.

Alicante said the BFP did not encounter major difficulties in accessing the area, noting that the road was wide and the water supply was sufficient.

Some stalls, however, could not be opened immediately because their roll-up doors were locked, he said.

As of this writing, the BFP has yet to determine the cause of the Friday morning fire.

Meanwhile, the Minglanilla local government is consolidating the list of affected market stall owners.

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