A blaze tore through 46 stalls in the public market of Bayambang, Pangasinan.
The fire spread quickly not only because the stalls were of combustible materials but also due to the tents used as extensions for the stalls.
One of the suspected causes of the fire is the so-called Octopus connection of electrical wires, which leads to short circuits due to overloading.
Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao of Bayambang said a private financial institution will provide loan assistance to the vendors affected.
“Nag-usap kami ng head of engineering, we gave her one month until ma-rehabilitate agad [yung public market]. Our private financial institution will be providing loaning assistance to these people who are affected, provided din 'yung requirements,” Jose-Quiambao said.
