NDRRMC: Fire caused by firecracker destroys public market in Quezon province

A fire believed triggered by firecracker hit a public market in Sariaya town in Quezon province Thursday afternoon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Saturday. In its 6 a.m. update, the NDRRMC said the fire started at 5 p.m. and was put out by responding firefighters at 7 p.m. No one was initially reported hurt in the fire, even as arson investigators are still determining the extent of the fire damage. "According to the investigation, the cause of the fire was a firecracker thrown into the market's stock room containing combustible materials," it said. At least 12 fire trucks from neighboring towns and cities, including Dolores, Tiaong, Sariaya, Candelaria, Tayabas, Lucena, Pagbilao, and San Juan rushed to the scene. Fire volunteers and the Philippine Red Cross in San Pablo in Laguna also responded to the incident. — LBG, GMA News