By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least 17 blocks were either damaged or destroyed following a Monday night blaze at the Bago City Public Market in the city’s Barangay Poblacion. Based on information provided by both the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bago City government, the fire reportedly started around 8:30 p.m. in the market’s dry goods section.
Firefighters from Bago City and Bacolod City immediately responded and quelled the blaze by around 10:30 p.m.
No one was injured in the incident as market occupants immediately fled.
A barangay tanod informed BFP arson investigators that the fire started at the Kingpoy Store, which was reportedly selling butane despite a ban on the product.
BFP, however, is still looking into the origins of the fire and an official report has yet to be submitted to the city’s task force on markets.
The cost of damages also has yet to be determined.
Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo, meanwhile, said the city government will provide assistance to business establishment affected by the blaze./DGB, WDJ