CITY OF CALAPAN – Fire hit the public market of Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro Monday night, leaving an initial estimated worth of damage of P60 million, according to a police report.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Imelda Tolentino, Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan (Mimaropa) police information officer, said the fire that started at about 9:30 p.m. hit shops and stalls of fish, meat, and vegetables on the first floor of the Puerto Galera Public Market and a house beside it that is owned by resident Minerva Sulit.
Police report said the town police station received a phone call at 9:45 p.m. from a concerned citizen, saying they noticed a huge smoke coming from the first floor of the market. The Bureau of Fire Protection of Puerto Galera and volunteers were already there trying to control the fire.
They also coordinated with fire stations from adjacent municipalities and fire trucks from San Teodoro, Baco and Calapan City which arrived in less than an hour.
At about 11 pm, a fire-out was declared without civilian casualties.
Investigation continues Tuesday morning with fire and police officers and the engineering office of the municipal government to determine the cause of the fire and the scope of the damage.