Investigation reveals no electrical or flammable factors in Baguio market fire

BAGUIO PUBLIC MARKET FIRE. The national headquarters of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) assumes control of the investigation into the devastating fire that erupted shortly before midnight on March 12, 2023, causing an estimated damage worth Php84 million. (Photo from the Facebook page of the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Baguio).

BAGUIO CITY — The results of the testing conducted on the ashes and electrical debris revealed that the fire, which engulfed the Baguio City Public Market at approximately 11:30 PM on March 11, 2023, was not caused by faulty electrical wiring or any flammable substance.

City Fire Superintendent Marisol Odiver revealed this information to city officials during the Baguio City Council’s regular session on May 22.

In a statement, the office of the  Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Baguio said that the testing was carried out by the arson laboratory of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), which found no evidence of a short circuit or the presence of flammable substances in the collected ashes and electrical debris from the fire aftermath.

Odiver further disclosed that the investigation had been turned over to the National Headquarter Investigation and Intelligence Division and is still ongoing.

According to Odiver, the estimated cost of the incurred damages caused by the fire is P84 million.

According to the BFP Operation Manual, it is specified that the national headquarters will assume control of the investigation when the incurred damages exceed P30 million.

According to Odiver, the BFP national headquarters had requested the Baguio Fire department to submit supplemental documents such as CCTV footages and statements of witnesses.

The final results of the investigation will unveil the actual cause of the fire, as stated by Odiver.

In response to the public’s anticipation for the truth behind the incident, members of the city council emphasized the need to expedite the investigation.

Odiver further informed that the Baguio Fire Department has already submitted a request to the BFP national headquarters, urging them to accelerate their investigation process.