Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — A fire razed through an iconic landmark and shopping place on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City early Thursday.
No one was reported injured in the blaze that gutted the nearly 50-year-old Shoppersville Supermarket, but many patrons were saddened thatsel their favorite grocery shop is gone.
The fire started around 4 a.m. and continued to rage for the next five hours before fire authorities were prompted to raise the fifth alarm, a signal to nearby cities to send back up firetrucks.
Thick smoke from the smoldering building blew toward Miriam College across the street, forcing school authorities to send home their elementary and high school students before the fire was put out around 1:00 p.m.
Over 20 firetrucks from Quezon City, Marikina City, and Pasig City were deployed to the area, temporarily causing heavy traffic on one of the city’s busiest roads.
Shoppersville is known as Katipunan’s longest standing go-to place for groceries, school supplies, and other items normally purchased only from department stores.
Tammy Lima said she was sad for the store’s employees she considers her friends who could lose their jobs.
“Nalungkot kasi mula ng maliliit pa anak ko, diyan ako namimili,” said Bang Manuel, an elderly shopper.
[Translation: I am sad because I have been shopping there since my children were still little kids.]
Mike Obidoza said he hopes the supermarket recovers to continue to serve its many shoppers.
Some employees said they were grateful the fire did not completely destroy the building.
The supermarket started as a small grocery shop in 1968 on Katipunan Ave., a back road to the University of the Philippines. The sprawling Ateneo de Manila University campus sits beside Miriam College.
Quezon City Bureau of Fire Protection Chief Senior Superintendent Jesus Fernandez said the fire may have started from an electrical problem such as an unplugged appliance or old electrical circuits.
“Pero ang bottom line nun, eh yung source ng apoy ay galing sa electricity,” said Fernandez.
“Translation: But the bottom line there is the fire originated from electricity.]
The Bureau of Fire Protection estimates the building suffered about P10 million worth of damage to its structure. There were no immediate estimates on the value of goods and other items in the store that were lost to the fire.
Police were deployed to prevent looting.
