A massive overnight fire has caused extensive destruction at the Zamboanga City public market, resulting in an estimated P18.1 million worth of damage to City Government property. The blaze, which raged for more than six hours, completely destroyed the vegetable and fruit sections of the market, leaving significant structural damage in its wake.
Timeline of the Devastating Blaze
The fire initially broke out at 11:20 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026, according to Superintendent Leo Pioquinto, the Zamboanga City Fire District marshal. The situation quickly escalated, with the fire reaching the third alarm before firefighters managed to bring it under control. The intense blaze was finally completely extinguished by 5:52 a.m. on Friday, February 27, after more than six hours of continuous firefighting efforts.
Emergency Response and Challenges
A substantial emergency response was mobilized to combat the spreading flames. Sixteen fire trucks from the Zamboanga City Central Fire Station and nearby sub-stations were deployed to the scene. The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office further supported the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) by dispatching two large and two small water tankers to assist with the firefighting operations.
However, the response faced significant challenges. Mayor Khymer Olaso, who personally visited the scene, expressed frustration upon discovering that the fire hydrants at the public market lacked water. This critical infrastructure failure hampered initial firefighting efforts and contributed to the fire's prolonged duration and extensive damage.
Investigation and Aftermath
Investigators are currently working to determine the exact cause of the fire that destroyed two mercantile buildings within the market complex. Fortunately, despite the extensive property damage, there were no reported casualties or injuries resulting from the incident.
Mayor Olaso has announced plans to meet with concerned agencies to address the critical issue of water supply deficiencies at the public market. Additionally, the city government will evaluate measures to assist the affected market stall holders whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the devastating fire.
