Investigation is still ongoing with regards to the cause of the midnight blaze that razed six stalls and a semi-concrete building at the “talipapa” or wet market at barangay Bigaa in Virac last April 16, 2024.
According to a report from the Virac Fire Station, the incident, which also partially damaged a pickup truck and a motorcycle parked in front of one of the stalls.
It stated that about 12 midnight of April 15, 2024, FO2 Geovanne Dacuno received a phone call from PCMS Michael Papango of the Virac Municipal Police Station, informing of an on-going fire incident at Purok 4 covering the “talipapa” area in Bigaa.
Fire Engine Company Osprey, driven by FO2 Dacuno, and Fire Engine Company Buzzard, with FO1 Issa Janda in charge, immediately went to the scene, arriving five minutes later.
Another fire engine, driven by FO3 Michalle Tan together with FO2 Jeric Bataller. Also arrived to provide additional support.
After an assessment of the fire, ground commander Insp. Jose Lee Jr. raised the fire scene status to 1st Alarm.
The Special Rescue Unit (SRU) of the Office of the Provincial Fire Marshal as well as Virac MPS personnel also came to assist in the effort while a water tanker of the Virac Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) supplied water to Fire Engine Coy Buzzard.
The report said the fire, which caused estimated damages totaling P108,500.00, is believed to have started at 11:45 PM of April 15 and was declared fire out by 1:10 AM the next day.
The damaged section had an estimated area of 210 sq. meters.
Initial investigation by the Fire & Arson Investigation of the Virac Fire Station revealed that the six stalls which sold fish, meat and vegetables as well as a sari-sari store made of highly combustible materials were engulfed by the flames, which also razed a semi-concrete building with GI roofing.
The affected talipapa occupants were identified as vegetable vendors Analyn Vergara Gonzales, 34, and Eliza Beo Tabuzo, 58, both of Calabnigan, Virac; grocery and meat seller Benny Sarmiento Geromo, 40, of San Isidro Village, who also owned the semi-concrete building used as a warehouse and the Mitsubishi pickup truck and Honda XRM motorcycle damaged by the fire; fish and meat vendor Karen Manlangit Vargas, 47, of Bislig, San Andres, and fish vendors Nenita Vargas and Jing Surban Samonte.
There were no casualties among BFP personnel and civilians, the report said, with an update on the cause and origin of the fire.