At least 23 stores were razed by fire at the Dado Public Market in Alamada, Cotabato.

Among the structures were a pharmacy, grocery store, and a store for ready-to-wear items.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire may have started near a coffee shop and was caused possibly by unattended cooking.

“Sa gilid ng kapehan, may grocery store tapos ang katabi niyan is nakasarado, walang tao o walang tinda. Hindi pa namin malaman kung ano ang dahilan. Sa pag-conduct ng investigation, walang nakitang outlet o kurytente. Ang hinala namin, baka may nagsaing o may nagsindi ng anuman, hindi nabantayan,” BFP-Alamada OIC Fire Marshall, SFO4 Francisco Templa Jr., said.

The fire was raised to second alarm and was put out after three hours.

Damage to property reached P2.4 million.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO said four men were injured in the incident, including a soldier who helped put the fire out.

The soldier is already safe.

“Nag-volunteer kasi yung mga trainees natin na army kasi malapit lang man yung camp natin. Tumulong sila, isa doon na-injure, then ang iba na tumulong, may nasugatan, may napaso, yung dalawa na-refer sa hospital, tinahi yung sugat nila,” MDRRMO Head, Engr. Jeanne Pulmones, said.

The local government has attended to the needs of more than 20 store owners affected.

“Na-assist namin yung immediate needs nila. Una-una po yung relocation area. I-re-relocate yung affected kasi bawal muna galawin yung incident area,” Pulmones added.