AT LEAST P39.2 million worth of property went up in smoke when a huge fire hit the APM Shopping Center in A. Soriano St., North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, at past 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022.

For nearly five hours, firefighters battled the blaze which started at 1:52 p.m. as thick black smoke engulfed the burning edifice.

The fire which ended at around 6:46 p.m. affected at least 70 establishments operating inside the shopping center.

Cebu City Fire Office spokesperson SFO2 Wendel Villanueva said the fire started at the mall’s food court, but investigators have yet to determine what caused the blaze.

A report also claimed someone was welding in the area where the fire erupted, Villanueva said.

“We used breathing apparatus because the smoke inside was very strong. Our firefighters had a hard time penetrating the building,” Villanueva said in Cebuano.

APM Mall is a popular shopping area for Cebuanos hunting for bargains.

Owned by Fengting Lu/Chung/Golden Heartland Properties Corp., the building leased out spaces to sellers of apparel, shoes, cellphone accessories, cosmetics, preloved bags, and food.

The mall also has restaurants, a dental clinic, bank, camera shop, outlet stores, and a driving school, among others.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama visited the fire scene and ordered the fire department to make sure that no items will be lost inside the mall.

Rama also spoke to tenants and the building’s staff after he assessed the damage.