Up to 66 stores were razed to the ground after a fire hit a public market in Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Among those affected were a bakeshop, stores that sold ready-to-wear clothes, grocery stores, and rice retailers.

It took around 12 hours for firefighters to put the fire out as some portions of the market were made of light materials.

“Ang nangyari, contained naman yung mismong buong public market, so kaya siya natagalan kasi may mga oil na tinda sa public market. Halo-halo na kasi yung public market na yun. Mabilis din po (ang apoy) nakakalat dahil medyo may kalumaan na rin. Yung ceiling po niya is may light materials,” Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Zamboanga Sibugay Intelligence and Investigation Section Chief, SFO1 Lorelyn Bingaro, said.

No one was reported hurt in the incident.

Damage to property was pegged at P18.4 million.

Around 46 store owners were also affected.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.