A late-night fire struck the fruits and vegetable section of the main public market in Magay, Zamboanga City, on Thursday night, February 26, destroying two market buildings and causing an estimated ₱18.1 million in damage, authorities said.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, the blaze was first reported at around 11:20 p.m. and quickly escalated to a third-alarm fire as flames spread through the market area. Firefighters, with support from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and other responders, managed to place the fire under control at about 12:28 a.m. on Friday, February 27. The fire was officially declared out at 5:52 a.m.
Mayor Khymer Olaso immediately rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the incident and mobilized city government resources to assist in firefighting operations. Deployed to the area were two ZCDRRMO ambulances, two large water tankers, and two smaller water tankers to support the Bureau of Fire Protection in containing the flames.
Despite the intensity of the blaze, authorities confirmed that no casualties or injuries were recorded.
However, the mayor expressed concern over a major issue encountered during the response. According to Olaso, existing fire hydrants inside the public market did not release water, which hampered firefighting efforts at the height of the incident. He said the city government will meet with concerned agencies to investigate the problem and ensure that such critical infrastructure will function properly in future emergencies.
City officials are also looking into possible assistance for market stall holders affected by the fire. The damaged buildings were located in the vegetable and fruits section of the market, an area where many vendors rely on daily trade for their livelihood.
The main public market in Zamboanga City is considered one of the economic enterprises of the city government, making the incident a significant setback for both vendors and the local economy. Authorities are still conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.