After 2 days, Tutuban Mall fire finally out

Two days after it started, the fire that hit a mall in Manila's busy Divisoria district was finally declared out before dawn Friday. The Bureau of Fire Protection's Metro Manila unit declared the fire at the Tutuban Mall's Cluster 1 building out at 1 a.m., radio dzBB reported. BFP Metro Manila head Chief Superintendent Santiago Laguna was quoted in the report as saying they are still investigating the extent of the fire, which started at 12:41 a.m. Wednesday and was placed under control 10 a.m. Thursday. However, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also said the Office of Civil Defense continues to monitor the situation. Initial reports by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had said the fire started at the mid-portion of Stall C-18, occupied by one Maria Theresa Chen, at the ground floor. But a report by dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa said the firefighters are not letting down their guard, taking precautions to make sure the fire is not rekindled. Firefighters are particularly keeping watch over the building's second and third floods, where smoke was still coming out as of 5 a.m. Some parts of C.M. Recto Avenue near the mall were still closed to traffic as of 5 a.m. Guards secured the mall from possible looters. On the other hand, at least 45 people were given medical treatment, including 28 BFP personnel, 14 volunteer firefighters and three civilians. The report said the BFP will let City Hall personnel inspect the building and recommend if it should be condemned. — LBG, GMA News