Iba, Zambales: An estimated P260 million in properties and merchandise was lost due to fire that hit this towns public market, Tuesday evening.

According to reports the fire started around 9pm and in just 15 minutes the whole market was ablaze.

The Iba fire department who first responded to the emergency allegedly had a fire truck but was empty (with water).

Stall owners and emergency responder had to wait for several hours before the contingent from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority fire department, the NETC (Naval Education and Training Command), the PMMA (Philippine Merchant Marine Academy) before the fire was put out.

A stall owner who refused to be named told SubicTimes that they had stock on rice, chicken and other cold cuts in anticipation of the New Year rush.

“Kala naman kikita kami kasi, sigurado marami ang mag hahanda at bibili ng paninda naming, kaya lang eto naman ang sinapit naming,” the crying stall owner said.

In a telephone interview, Zambales Governor Amor Deloso told SubicTimes that authorities suspect that the fire was a case of arson.

“We will be giving assistance to the victims but first the local government of Iba should be the first one who help them and they have assured me that they will,” Deloso added.