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Fire hits Star City compound


A fire broke out in Star City, the amusement area located in Pasay City, early Wednesday morning, Luisito Santos reported over Super Radyo's DZBB.

 

 

Pasay City Fire Marshal Superintendent Paul Pili said the fire alarm was raised to Task Force Bravo about 2:25 a.m., adding that they needed more fire trucks.

He said that about 60% of the infrastructure within the Star City compound has been razed.

The Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) building, which houses the radio stations Love Radio, DZRH, Yes the Best! and Easy Rock, was partly damaged.

Employees were seen bringing out equipment from offices.

Pili added that although the area is wide and accessible to firefighters, the buildings affected were mostly made of wood so the fire spread quickly.

As of 4:30 a.m., the fire has been declared under control.

In a report on GMA News' Unang Balita, GMA News' Jonathan Andal said initial investigation showed that the fire started from the storage facility of The Snow World building a few minutes after midnight.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said the fire may have been caused by arson.

Lisa Macuja, wife of Fred Elizalde, owner of Star City, showed authorities a Twitter post saying "Star City will die."

Pili also said firefighters were wondering why different parts of Star City seemed to have started burning almost at the same time.

In an official statement, MBC said their officers are closely coordinating with authorities to determine the cause of the fire.

"Despite the catastrophe, MBC FM stations Love Radio, Yes the Best, and Easy Rock will continue regular broadcasting operations."

Meanwhile, AM station DZRH is expected to go back on-air within 48 hours or less.

Star City will be closed for a year, according to its management.

"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.

READ: GALLERY: Star City will be closed Christmas 2019 after the fire

Investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. — BAP/KG, GMA News