At least 16 stalls that sold alcoholic beverages and a house were razed to the ground after a fire broke out at a compound in Barangay Tambler, General Santos City.

According to reports, the fire spread quickly as the structures affected were made of light materials.

The fire was put out after a few minutes.

No one was reported hurt in the incident.

The barangay said a child may have accidentally started the fire while playing matches at one of the stalls.

“Ang inisyal nag istoryha lang hinuon, ang first nga ginaingon nila is naay bata nga gadula og posporo, based sa location, light materials tu, semi kalakat. Once magdula ang bata og makasunog, takod takod gayud to,” Barangay Tambler Councilman Ali Bualan said.

However, one of those affected claimed the fire began from the ceiling.

“Pagtulog nako dira sir ba sa bangko, taod-taod nanimaho man, nanimaho siya ba. Pagtan-aw ko sa babaw nasunog na, misinggit ko sunog…Kuryente gyud tu kay naa man sa babaw…naa mga wire mga ana,” fire survivor, Joemark Bergado, said.

Authorities said the main electrical panel supplying power to multiple stalls was located at the ceiling where the fire reportedly started.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is still investigating the incident.

“Plangka ang among na-recover didto sa specific area nga iyang gitudlo. Didto daw nag-umpisa ang sunog. Kaning plangka, importante ni siya kaayo kay sa tanan nga establishment, sa tanang unit nga structures didto, isa lang gyud ang ilahang source of electricity ug didto lang mismo gayod ang pinaka-main breaker o plangka kung asa nag-originate ang kalayo. ****Pero dili pa ni nato maingon nga conclusive na ni,” BFP Calumpang Station Fire and Arson Investigator, SFO2 Niteul Bacate, said.

BFP said the damage to properties was estimated at P80,000.

Barangay officials provided assistance to the affected individuals.