20160403 Philippines Fire razes 2 buildings, chapel of UE Manila
Philippines Apr 02 2016 “Building” “Schools”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Fire razes 2 buildings, chapel of UE Manila
Updated: 2016-04-03-00:00
Firefighters help put out a blaze that broke out at the College of Arts and Science building at the University of the East in Manila yesterday. Inset shows a fireman bracing himself to use a fire hose, which releases water under high pressure.
Just hours after a 10-hour fire destroyed a faculty center in the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, two college buildings and the chapel of the University of the East (UE) in Manila were razed by a fire that reached general alarm yesterday.
The fire, which was declared under control by 1 p.m., destroyed the chapel and the College of Arts and Science and the College of Engineering buildings of UE-Manila campus, according to a statement released by the university.
The statement said no one was hurt in the incident and that the cause of fire is still under investigation.
“The estimated damage to property is still being determined. UE Manila, as well as the other UE campuses, are on heightened security alert to ensure the safety of everyone in the UE community,” said the university.
UE said its Manila campus will be closed to students and visitors tomorrow, while its other campuses (Caloocan, UE Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, and the Annex Building) will be open.
“We will post a new advisory on Monday as to when UE Manila would reopen,” said the university.
Senior Superintendent Jaime Ramirez, chief of the city fire department, said about P22 million worth of property was lost in the fire, which started at the third floor of the five-story College of Arts and Science building at past 9 a.m.
The fire spread fast, affecting the nearby College of Engineering building and the chapel. Witnesses said the blaze may have also affected a portion of the Elementary and Secondary Laboratory Schools building.
Other than Fire Officer 3 Rosito Arboleda, who sustained lacerations on his left hand, no one was reported killed or injured in the incident.
Witnesses said the College of Arts and Sciences building was being renovated, some stressing that welding was being done prior to the blaze.
Ramirez said the renovation contractor may be held liable if the witnesses’ claims are proven true.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada called on all concerned city government officials, particularly the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), and the city residents and business owners to always be prepared for untoward incidents.
Johnny Yu, MDRRMO head, said their office and the Bureau of Fire Protection “closely monitored the incident… If the management of UE has violations in terms of the precautions in ensuring safety in their establishment, we will recommend to Mayor Estrada to make the necessary actions.”
Web Source: Philstar
http://www.philstar.com/metro/2016/04/03/1568896/fire-razes-2-buildings-chapel-ue-manila