NO PROOF OF ARSON: BFP sees ‘short circuit’ in Oton market fire

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said electrical short circuit caused the massive fire that gobbled the Oton Public Market in Iloilo shortly early Monday morning.

Fire Inspector Roberto Tamayo Jr., Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Iloilo deputy provincial director, said evidence gathered at the fire scene suggested to the possibility that the blaze was triggered by something electrical in nature.

“But the evidences we gathered are still subject for validation,” Tamayo said.

On top of that, Tamayo said a butcher claimed to have seen something spark and heard static sound before the fire erupted.

As to the possibility of arson, “we have not gathered any evidence – direct or circumstantial – that could indicate that the fire was intentional,” he said.

Tamayo said the arson angle is not supported by any evidence and testimonies, so far.

The BFP reported that 212, or around 40 percent of the 558 market stalls, were totally gutted.

Tamayo said they are still waiting for the Oton local government’s Municipal Economic Enterprise and Development Office to officially declare the number of partially burned stalls.

In the meantime, the BFP would still stand on its earlier assessment that damage to property is at P44.040 million.

Stall owners have yet to declare the amount of their goods and products that the conflagration gobbled.

The Oton local government said it might designate an area as temporary market place.

Vendors could be relocated to Bonifacio Street, the terminal for public utility tricycles, and at the market area that was spared by fire.

Records showed that the fire call was placed at 12:05 a.m. of Monday.

The fire was declared under control at 2:23 a.m. while fire out was recorded at 9:08 a.m.

It was initially thought that the fire originated from the meat section.

But upon closer investigation, “we theorized that it could have possibly started at the dry goods section located at the southern back portion of the market,” Tamayo said.

Tamayo said the fire reached fourth level of alarm. Aside from local firefighters, BFP personnel from the towns of Tigbauan, San Miguel, Pavia, Sta. Barbara, Miag-ao, Guimbal, and Cabatuan also responded.

Fire responders from the districts of Arevalo, Mandurriao, and Jaro also augmented, as well as volunteers from the fire brigades ICAG Volunteer Brigade and Federation Iloilo Fire Brigade Incorporated.