Fire-hit Escolta building to be demolished –Erap

The old building along Escolta Street in Manila that was hit by fire Wednesday will be demolished soon, Manila Mayor Joseph "Erap" Estrada said.

In an interview with GMA News TV's Quick Response Team, Estrada said the city government will demolish the old structure for safety reasons.

"Talagang ipapa-demolish 'yan. Delikado. Baka makapinsala at bumagsak pa 'yan," he said.

Estrada also said that the old building, which formerly housed the City College of Manila and the Philippine National Bank, has long been condemned.

The fire started before dawn Wednesday and reached the third alarm before 4 a.m. It was only placed under control after 9 a.m. with an estimated structural damage of P20 million.

Nazareno route changed

The fire, meanwhile, has affected the route of the Black Nazarene grand procession on Friday. Originally, the procession will pass through Escolta Street, but after the fire, the Manila City officials decided to divert it to Dasmariñas Street.

"Yung ruta ng Black Nazarene, imbes na sa Escolta dadaan, i-divert namin doon sa Dasmariñas kasi delikado ito... Baka biglang bumagsak 'yan," Estrada said. —Trisha Macas/KBK, GMA News