P44 million destroyed in Iloilo market fire

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — More than P44 million worth of property was destroyed in a nine-hour fire that razed a public market in Oton, Iloilo yesterday.

The blaze destroyed 80 percent of the Oton Public Market including 212 of 558 stalls, according to Roberto Tamayo Jr., deputy director of the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Authorities said the fire started shortly after midnight and was declared under control at 2:23 a.m.

Fire out was declared at 9:08 a.m.

Tamayo said the P44 million estimate pertained only to damage to the building.

Probers said the blaze could have originated at the dry goods section, which is located at the back portion of the market.

A butcher said he saw something spark before the fire broke out.

Firefighters from the nearby towns of Cabatuan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, Pavia, San Miguel, Sta. Barbara and Tigbauan as well as from the districts of Arevalo, Jaro and Mandurriao in Ilolo City helped to put out the blaze.

No one was reported killed or injured in the incident.

Vendors went to the market to retrieve goods and items that were not damaged in the fire.

They said their stalls were looted.

A vendor said he saw people loading the goods in tricycles and pedicabs at the height of the blaze.