A fire occurred at the Camiling Public Market in Camiling, Tarlac on May 28, 2023. The responding firefighters had issues with their equipment, which slowed their response and allowed the fire to spread rapidly. The senior firefighter at the scene raised the alarm to the 4th level when he determined the fire was too large for local resources based on the wind direction and nearby buildings. An investigation found the fire was caused by electrical overloading of an extension cord powering a fan and other appliances at one of the market stalls. The case remains under investigation with new witnesses discovered and damage assessments still ongoing.

1. POST FIRE ANALYSIS
CAMILING PUBLIC MARKET
28 0450H MAY 2023 at Quezon Avenue
Brgy. Poblacion H, Camiling, Tarlac
INSP CRISANTO C OLINDA
Acting Municipal Fire Marshal

2. BEFORE
CAMILING PUBLIC MARKET

3. AFTER

4. Activity Logbook on May 27, 2023
• 27 2100H May 2023- LGU Firetruck driven by FO3
Mendoza conducted firetruck visibility within AOR.
• 28 0100H May 2023 – LGU Firetruck driven by FO3
Mendoza and FO1 Lagmay and FO1 Mangoba
conducted Firetruck visibility within AOR.
• 28 0450H May 2023- PSSG Maximo Lucero
proceeded to this station to report a fire incident
(Camiling Public Market).
Note : Contrary to the activity logbook, FO3 Mendoza
confessed that the vehicle used for the conduct of OPLAN
PAGHALASA were two (2) MOTORCYCLES owned by FO1
Rillera and FO1 Lagmay and NOT the LGU Firetruck.

5. Firetruck Logbook May 27, 2023
• 27 0530H May 2023- LGU Firetruck warmed-up
• 27 0545H May 2023- LGU Firetruck driven by FO1
Fernandez together with FO1 Mangoba conducted
roving and Firetruck visibility
• 27 1730H May 2023- LGU Firetruck warmed-up
• 28 0100H May 2023- LGU Firetruck driven by FO3
Mendoza together with FO1 Lagmay and FO1
Mangoba conducted Firetruck visibility within
AOR.
Note: Contrary to the Firetruck Logbook, no actual
warm-up conducted since 26 0530H May 2023 up to the
fire incident.

6. Raising the alarm to 4th alarm status
According to the statement of SFO2 Venerando M Rico Jr, assigned at Camiling FS (currently on FSLC
training) he received a call from one of the stall owners of Camiling Public Market informing that a fire
was in progress. He immediately proceeded to the fire scene and assisted the responding team since
prior to schooling he was designated as the Chief, Operations of Camiling FS. Upon knowing the
situation where the battery of the LGU firetruck was drained and there was a problem encountered
involving the PTO of the BFP-owned firetruck, he immediately commanded the team to lay fire hoses
directly connecting to the fire hydrant located in front of the market. But unfortunately the pressure
was not sufficient to discharge the needed volume of water causing the rapid spread of fire to the
adjoining stalls (DRY GOODS SECTION). With the chaotic emergency situation in front of him facing the
people of Camiling wherein he is one Camileño and as a firefighter by heart, he conducted sized-up
considering the adjacent establishments (PETRON Gasoline Station and Savemore Supermarket) and
the wind direction he then asked FO3 Nickzon B Mendoza if alarmed was already raised and he said
‘NO”.
San Clemente, Santa Ignacia and Mayantoc FT were at the fire scene followed by LGU Tanker(Camiling)
(the battery was replaced) conducting suppression but could not contain the fire since the fire was in
it’s full grown stage. Responders were already exhausted and still continue conducting fire suppression.
That was the time he decided to instruct FO1 Lagmay to call the OPFM raising the fire status into 4th
alarm.

7. Situation during the 4th Alarm

8. INVESTIGATION UPDATES
• SPOT INVESTIGATION REPORT – was submitted and registered online on 28
May 2023.
• Invitation Letters were served and Sworn Statements were gathered from
the three (3) Market Guards on 31 May 2023.
• Invitation Letter was served to Mrs. Virgie V. Mangabay And Sworn
Statement was gathered on 06 June 2023.
• Invitation Letter to be served to the operator of the stall where the fire
was started (could not locate).

9. DURING THE INQUIRY CONDUCTED TO THE WITNESSES

10. UPDATE ON THE INVESTIGATION
Based on the pieces of evidence
gathered and investigation conducted
the cause of fire is due to Electrical
Ignition Caused by Overloading. The
ampacity of the electrical cord from
the extension wire, can’t cater the
ampacity of the electric fan and other
appliances connected.
Spalling effect

11. Progress report was already submitted
• New witnesses have been discovered
• Case folder to be submitted to Arson Laboratory Section-BFP NHQ
• Affidavit of loss pertaining to Fire damage - still working on it

12. PROGRESS