By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Around P3.5 million worth of belongings were destroyed after a Saturday morning fire gutted the Cauayan Public Market.

Cauayan fire marshal, Senior Fire Officer 1 Marlon Estimar, said, based on investigations by arson investigators, the fire reportedly took place at Garganta Magbanua Hardware; which eventually spread to several market stalls, stores, and a bakery.

A home owned by a certain Lucrecia Laloy was also affected by the blaze.

Fire trucks from Sipalay City, Kabankalan City, and Ilog handled the incident as Cauayan fire equipment was undergoing maintenance.

Estimar added, arson investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the blaze./DGB, WDJ