By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A raw sugar warehouse and clinic were gutted by a fire inside the Victorias Milling Company (VMC) in Negros Occidental’s Victorias City on Sunday night, August 27.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the blaze and the cost of the damage as of writing.

Based on initial information from the city’s Bureau of Fire Protection, the fire started at the clinic at 6:40 p.m. before spreading to the warehouse.

The fire reportedly burned down stocks of raw sugar inside the warehouse.

Fire trucks from Cadiz City and Bacolod City responded to the blaze that was contained at 8:50 p.m.

There were no casualties in the fire.

Meanwhile, Pablo Luis Azcona, Sugar Regulatory Administration head, visited VMC yesterday and inspected the damage due to the blaze.

Azcona said he is confident that the sugar plant can still operate normally on the first day of the milling season on September 1.

He added that the blaze had minimal effect on the sugar supply, but he expressed sadness over the incident after watching the fire footage online.

“I don’t think it will hamper VMC’s efforts to start the crop year,” Azcona said.

“In hardship, greater things come out, and I know you guys will come out better,” he added./DGB, WDJ