ILOILO – A massive fire destroyed 15 commercial stalls at the Estancia public market early Saturday, October 24, leaving an estimated P9.382 million in property damage and dealing a devastating blow to local business owners.
The blaze, which broke out at around 12:56 a.m. in Barangay Poblacion Zone II, rapidly engulfed a 782-square-meter commercial area, prompting authorities to raise the fire alarm to the third level and mobilize firefighters from Estancia and eight neighboring municipalities.
Estancia vice mayor Mark Cordero said all 15 affected stalls were completely destroyed, including establishments operating as water refilling stations, sari-sari stores and poultry supply shops.
The fire spread rapidly because most of the structures were built with mixed construction materials, making them particularly vulnerable to the flames.
Firefighters from Estancia, Balasan, Batad, Carles, San Dionisio, Sara, Concepcion, Ajuy and Lemery joined forces to contain the blaze.
After more than two hours of firefighting operations, authorities declared the fire under control at approximately 3:04 a.m.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Estancia placed the estimated property damage at P9,382,000.
Despite the extensive destruction, authorities reported no injuries or fatalities.
“We pray and hope for the recovery and rebuilding of the families affected by this unfortunate incident. May they find strength, comfort, and hope as they overcome this difficult time, and may they receive the support and assistance they need to start,” Cordero said in a statement.
In response to the disaster, the Estancia municipal government, headed by Mayor Angelica Bianca Requinto, established an Incident Command Post at TFA Supermart in Barangay Poblacion Zone II to attend to the immediate needs of affected stall owners.
The command post will serve as a coordination center for assistance to those whose businesses were destroyed.
Meanwhile, BFP-Estancia has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and identify the particular stall where the blaze originated./PN
