By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

MARKET FIRE. The public market fire that broke out Thursday night (Feb. 26, 2026) destroyed government property valued at PHP18.1 million in Zamboanga City. The fire reached third alarm and was completely extinguished early Friday (Feb. 27). (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – About PHP18.1 million worth of government property was destroyed by a fire that lasted more than six hours and hit the city’s public market Thursday night, an official said.

In a report on Friday, Supt. Leo Pioquinto, Zamboanga City Fire District (ZCFD) marshal, said the fire broke out around 11:20 p.m., destroying two mercantile structures—vegetable and fruit sections—of the public market.

“The fire, which reached third alarm, was completely extinguished around 5:52 a.m. Friday,” Pioquinto said.

He added that there were no reported casualties or injuries from the incident.

Pioquinto said they have yet to determine the cause of the fire that destroyed two buildings at the main public market.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office sent two large and two small water tankers to support firefighting efforts by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Meanwhile, Mayor Khymer Olaso, who rushed to the fire scene, expressed disgust after learning the fire hydrants had no water to supply the firefighters.

Pioquinto said 16 fire trucks from the central fire station and nearby sub-stations responded to the fire call. (PNA)