A fire broke out in the accounting office at the municipal hall of Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur. 

The incident was caused reportedly by a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.

The accounting office has been cordoned off.

According to the local fire department, people watching a basketball game in front of the municipal hall noticed the fire on the second floor. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) was quick to respond to the scene.

"Fire extinguisher lamang ang ginamit dahil nag-uumpisa pa lang ang sunog, at upang maiwasan ‘yung mas malaking damage, lalo pa’t maraming importanteng dokumento sa opisinang ito," FSINSP Edgar Quilana, BFP Sto. Domingo Fire Marshal, said.

Based on initial investigation, the fire started from the air conditioning unit and spread to the window blinds and documents. The estimated damage is around P100,000.

Authorities suspect that an electrical short circuit triggered the fire, possibly due to a leak on the roof.

"Dahil may sunog, ang hinala namin naka-open ang air conditioning unit kasi walang sunog kung walang kuryente — dahil kapag nag ‘meet in contact’ ang tubig at kuryente, possible itong magresulta ng short circuit," Quilana said.

The municipal engineer said the roof is being repaired. 

A similar incident occurred in 2021 when the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office also caught fire due to short circuit.