Fire hits Davao City mall, traps people inside

A fire of still undetermined origin hit a major shopping center in Davao City on Saturday morning, trapping several people inside.

Citing information from the Davao City Police Office, GMA News stringer Armando Fenequito, Jr. said that the fire started at about 9:35 a.m. inside the New City Commercial Corporation (NCCC) Mall Davao, located at the corner of Mac Arthur Highway and MAA road.

In a texted statement, NCCC communications officer Thea Stepan Padua confirmed that several people were trapped inside the mall after the fire broke out on the third floor.

Mall management said there was no reported of casualty so far, and that they would do everything to ensure the safety of those trapped.

The Bureau of Fire Protection-Davao City has yet to issue an official report, even as rescue operations and efforts to put the fire out were still ongoing as of 3:30 p.m., according to an official. —Margaret Claire Layug/LBG, GMA News