Shariff aguak: A fire of still unknown origin engulfed the public market in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday night, resulting in the tragic deaths of a couple and the destruction of a variety store that also retailed liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, as reported by a fire officer on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Fire Inspector Narisa Bansil, the town's fire marshal, provided details during a radio interview, stating that the blaze erupted around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday before being declared extinguished by approximately 1 a.m. Thursday. Bansil reported that approximately 10 market stalls, including the one selling LPG cylinders, suffered damage from the fire.

The couple who tragically lost their lives in the incident were identified as businessman Bacso Abdulgani and his pregnant wife Noraisa. They were the proprietors of the Bhasnhor Dry Goods Store and are presumed to have been asleep inside the store when the fire erupted.

An investigation into the cause of the fire and the assessment of property damage is currently underway.