Halaran fest marred by big city fire
By Joel E. Capundan

ROXAS CITY -- The merrymaking activities of Sinadya sa Halaran 2003 was marred by an early evening fire that gutted down major business establishments in Roxas Ave. -- one of the city's major thoroughfares.

An elderly couple was reportedly trapped inside one of the buildings but the report was not yet confirmed as of presstime. Several people were also reported missing.

Arson investigators said the fire, which damaged millions worth of properties, supposedly started at Solid Marketing, a business owned by Chinese-Filipino businessman Pablo Chu.

Considered as Roxas' biggest motorcycle supply store, it was razed to the ground along with its neighboring establishment Cycle House.

The cause of the fire, however, was not yet established.

Also burned down were the WTO building and the offices of the local Security Bank branch and the Department of Environment of Natural Resources (DENR) whose office files, including land titles, were destroyed by the fire.

The fire, which started before 6 p.m., was still being controlled more than three hours later.

Firefighting teams from Passi City and Balasan in Iloilo and the towns of Kalibo and Altavas in Aklan responded to calls for assistance.

Mayor Antonio del Rosario and Councilor Alan Celino were among the city officials who immediately came to the area.

Sinadya sa Halaran 2003, which opened last Thursday, is Roxas City and Capiz Province's much-awaited annual festival.

Friday's activities include the opening of the Seafood Festival and a concert. The Halaran beauty pageant was also scheduled last night.

Spectators, however, turned their attention to the fire which was punctuated by explosions.

Write ups courtesy of SunStar - Iloilo