Major fire destroys dozens of stalls at General Santos City market

A destructive fire engulfed an ukay-ukay market in General Santos City on Sunday night, leaving significant damage in its wake. The blaze ignited around 11:25 p.m. at Purok Islam, rapidly consuming merchandise and structures in the densely packed commercial area.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, the fire destroyed at least 30 stalls operated by vendors selling secondhand clothing and related goods. The flames also spread to approximately two dozen residential houses located adjacent to the market, displacing residents and destroying personal belongings.

Firefighters responded to the emergency and worked to contain the spread of the blaze. The BFP's preliminary assessment placed total damages at approximately P1.75 million, though officials noted this figure remained subject to further verification as damage assessments continued.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of reporting time. Authorities have not yet released information regarding potential casualties or the exact number of families affected by the incident.