Two public market buildings and almost P3 million worth of dry goods were turned to ashes when a fire hit barangay Piyo, Tabogon, northern Cebu late Tuesday evening.
Electrical sparks seen on the second floor triggered the blaze at about 11:30 p.m., said PO2 Jason Gulben of the Tabogon Police Station.
Firefighters from Bogo City and the towns of Medellin, San Remigio and Borbon helped their Tabogon counterparts in putting out the fire.
The first market building that was razed had six stalls occupied by Marites Ngujo, Norma Commendador, Villa Viracruz, Dandy Taburnal, Alvina, Garcia and Dioscora Nuyna while the second building housed the Pauline Pharmacy, Eliza store, Frutesa Store and a bakeshop.
No one was injured in the fire, although it took an hour and a half for the firemen to put out the blaze. The market buildings were already very old, according to authorities.