BACOLOD CITY — An early morning fire hit 65 stalls in the public market of Manapla, Negros Occidental on Friday, with the damage estimated at PHP58 million, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has reported.
The blaze, believed to have started from the ceiling of a food stall at about 3 a.m., damaged stores and properties in the market. No one was reported hurt after the BFP declared fire out at about 5:51 a.m.
Photo courtesy of DYHB Tatak RMN Page
Mayor Lourdes Escalante, in a radio interview, said the affected stall owners received financial assistance from the municipal government.
Owners of 19 big stalls were granted PHP20,000 each while the 35 occupants of medium stalls were given PHP11,000 each. The 11 occupants of small stalls got PHP2,000 each.
In the aftermath of the fire, those selling dry goods will temporarily occupy the area around the plaza and part of the vegetable section will be used as a wet market, she added.
Escalante said the firefighters made sure the flames did not reach the other side of the market building and the houses nearby, in response to criticisms that there was a delay in the response of BFP personnel.
Supt. Pamela Rojane Candido, provincial fire marshal of Negros Occidental, said in a radio interview that the firefighters in Manapla performed their duties and did not have lapses in their response.
Fire trucks from neighboring town of EB Magalona and the cities of Talisay, Silay, Cadiz, and Victorias also arrived to help combat the blaze. (PNA)
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