P3.8-M loss in Bago market fire

By Glazyl Y. Masculino 

BACOLOD CITY — Nine stalls sustained damage in a fire that caused an estimated P3,840,000 in losses at Central Maao Market in Barangay Don Jorge L. Araneta, Bago City, Negros Occidental last Friday.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Rustan Sayson, supervisor of Maao Fire Sub-Station, reported they received a call about the fire around 6:56 p.m. The blaze quickly spread as the stalls were partly made of wood.

“Of the nine stalls, seven were destroyed and two were partially damaged,” Sayson said. The affected stalls included sari-sari stores and small cafes.

He noted the building was single-storey and old, making it susceptible to fire. “It shows signs of wear and tear,” he added.

During the firefighting efforts, a volunteer suffered minor injuries. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, but authorities are investigating a possible electrical problem and have sent a specimen to the arson lab for analysis.

The fire was declared out at 8:30 p.m., Sayson confirmed.