By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The city government plans to identify a temporary location for vendors affected by a fire that damaged 31 stalls at the Central Public Market on Bonifacio Street, Barangay 12, early Friday.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod reported that 18 stalls were completely destroyed, while 13 were partially damaged.
The fire started at 2:50 a.m. and was raised to a second alarm before being declared out at 3:20 a.m.
Fire Superintendent Jenny Mae Masip, the city fire marshal, estimated the damage to properties at PHP4,752,000. No injuries were reported.
Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez visited the site Friday morning and emphasized the need to secure the area for further investigation.
Two individuals were arrested at the scene for allegedly attempting to steal items during the commotion.
Benitez said the Office of the Building Official (OBO) will assess the market’s structural integrity. If deemed safe, the market may be reopened partially.
The mayor also assured the affected vendors that the city council will discuss the extent of assistance to be provided.
“We will assess their losses and determine the appropriate support because no one wanted this to happen,” he said.
Benitez added that the BFP will provide the city with a report on the condition of all three public markets and recommend measures to prevent future fires.
He suggested the possibility of renovating the market, saying, “Maybe it will be built back better. We’ll collaborate with the vendors, but it will take some time.”
Benitez also directed the City Engineering Office to prepare a plan to improve the market’s structure.
Later that day, vendors were allowed to return to clean their stalls and check for salvageable items.
Masip confirmed that since the structure is owned by the city government, the BFP regional office will handle the investigation.
An arson investigator from BFP-6 arrived but has yet to provide updates, including the fire’s cause.
