A fire gutted a commercial area in Barangay Santiago on Friday night, damaging three buildings and causing an initial estimated loss of P16 million.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Pagadian City Central Fire Station said the blaze started at 8:20 p.m. in one of the establishments before spreading to nearby structures.
The fire reached the third alarm and was responded to by BFP teams from various municipal fire stations in Zamboanga del Sur, along with provincial and city fire trucks, water tankers, a backhoe, and ambulances.
The structure identified as Alvin Bazaar, owned by Alvin Uy Ang, was totally damaged, while another of his properties, Alvin Home Depot, sustained partial damage.
The main store of Mercury Drug pharmacy was spared by its firewall, but its warehouse was partially damaged.
BFP investigators are still determining the origin of the fire.
No casualties were reported. The fire was declared out after three hours. /mcm