Fire hits PDEA Annex Building in Quezon City

(Updated 1:39 p.m.) A fire broke out at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) office in Quezon City early Wednesday, a television report said.

In a later report on "Balitanghali" PDEA Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. said none of the evidence housed in the building was lost to the fire, and that no one was able to break into the evidence containment area during the incident.

"Wala po kasing nakakapasok dun kundi yung evidence custodian, tapos para siya makapasok, meron pang dalawang tao na may hawak ng tag-iisang susi ... at kailangan yung tatlong taong iyon available para makapasok sa evidence room."

Asked on the possible cause of the fire, he said: "Masyado pa pong maaga para mag-speculate. Siguro po hintayin na lang po natin yung resulta ng imbestigasyon."
 

Cacdac said a joint team from PDEA and the Bureau of Fire Protection are investigating the cause of the fire and have taken statements from the occupants of Room 212 and 213, which were empty at the time of the incident.
 

Also, he said the fire started at the right wing of the PDEA Annex Building.
 

 

"May mga ceiling po kasing siguro na medyo baka mag-collapse kasi po nabasa siya para ho masugpo yung apoy at ayaw pa po namin silang papasukin dun, baka masaktan pa po sila," Cacdac said. — Keith Richard D. Mariano with a report from Rie Takumi/RSJ/LBG, GMA News