Quezon City market fire hits fifth alarm

MANILA, Philippines — Several stalls were razed in a fire that reached fifth alarm in Commonwealth Market in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

The city government said it is coordinating with the private lessor of the market and the owner of the property to determine the number of affected vendors, and study possible assistance that can be provided.

Various local government offices were mobilized to do structural assessments, hazard mapping, sanitary inspections and clearing operations in the affected area.

“Priority will be given to cleaning the site to reduce health risks from the burned goods,” city hall said in Filipino.

S/Insp. Bernardo Soriano, Quezon City fire department chief investigator, said the fire started at 2:32 a.m. on the ground floor and reached the second floor where the dry goods are located.

Soriano said firefighting operations were hampered as stall owners crowded pathways while saving their goods.

According to the city government, its engineering department is working with Meralco to prioritize the inspection of power lines to restore electricity supply, while the law and order cluster is on standby to ensure order and manage traffic in the area.

“QCitizens, especially the affected market vendors, can expect the local government to immediately address their needs and provide the necessary support to help them recover,” added the local government.