Almost 90% of Star City compound razed by fire, says BFP

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Wednesday assessed that 80 to 90% of the Star City compound in Pasay City, which includes the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) building and Aliw Theater, was razed by fire, according to a report by Maki Pulido on GMA News TV’s Balitanghali.

After almost 12 hours since the fire broke out, the BFP said they could still not declare "fire out" as some rooms in the MBC were still being monitored.

However, the fire has been declared as under control at 4:30 a.m.

Authorities raised the fire alarm level to Task Force Bravo about 2:25 a.m.

LOOK: Star City fire spares entrance, roller coaster but razes food court, building

Pasay City Fire Marshal Superintendent Paul Pili said they have 45 days to finish the investigation on the fire incident.

The BFP is looking into the angles of electrical wiring and arson as the cause of the fire.

Due to the damage, Star City will be closed for the Christmas season.

"We're targeting reopening about October next year. It's necessary because the importation of rides takes time and the set-up of the park also," said Atty. Rudolph Steve Juralbal, vice president for legal affairs of the Elizalde Group of Companies, owner of Star City.

The amusement park has 600 workers.

Despite the catastrophe, MBC, which has 300 employees, will continue the regular broadcasting operations of its FM stations Love Radio, Yes the Best, and Easy Rock.

Its AM station dzRH is expected to go back on-air within 48 hours. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News