Inferno guts public markets, shopping centers in Bislig City

A massive fire on Tuesday afternoon gutted two public markets, commercial centers and a number of homes in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, GMANews.TV learned. Initial reports showed that the blaze started in the Bonga-itan District in Mangagoy, the city's main barrio. No casualties were immediately reported. A city employee said the fire started at 1:15 p.m. and was put out at 3:35 p.m. Responding to the emergency were two firetrucks in Mangagoy, two more from the Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines (Picop), and one each from the neighboring towns of Lingig, Barobo, Hinatuan and Tagbina. The cause and origin of the fire has yet to be determined. Wiped out by the major fire incident in recent years in Bislig City were the Mangagoy Market Site, the Rehab Public Market, a number of commercial establishments across the market, and several residential houses. "Our Integrated Passenger Terminal (IPT) here was almost hit by the fire. Fortunately, it was saved by the firefighters," local officials said. The IPT is adjacent to the market. Damage to properties is estimated to cost millions of pesos. The incident left the entire Mangagoy district, which has a population of at least 50,000, with no supply of power as of posting time. Mangagoy is known for playing host to Picop, the major paper factory of the country.-GMANews.TV