Caloocan mall fire enters 3rd day, as firefighters combat flames in storerooms

(Updated 2:22 p.m.) As the fire that hit the Grand Central mall in Caloocan City entered its third day Monday, firefighters have focused on flames in storage areas at the back of the mall. No customers or sales personnel have been reported injured since the fire began late Friday night after closing time, but 17 firefighters have suffered injuries. Security remained tight around the mall area, with police and fire authorities keeping watch to prevent looting. 

Meanwhile, GMA News' Tricia Zafra reported that while there was no longer thick smoke coming out of the building as of Monday morning, there were still flames in the basement, where the supermarket is located, and the fifth floor, where a stockroom is found. 

 

According to Zafra's report, Caloocan Fire Chief Superintendent Oscar de Asis said it is taking a long time to completely put out the fire as the mall is big.

 

The report quoted De Asis as saying that they were still waiting for some fire trucks from the Binondo station in Manila before they could resume operations Monday morning, but they expect to declare the fire out within the day.

In the meantime, security remained tight around the mall area, with special reaction units of the city police and Bureau of Fire Protection keeping watch to prevent looting. 

 

In a Balitanghali report, tenants were shown waiting outside the mall. "Huwag tayong aalis dito. Bantayan natin mga gamit natin," shouted one tenant. Another explained that they are guarding their wares, and wish to enter the mall so they can save what's left of their goods. "Sabi po buo pa po, eh ayaw pa po kaming papasukin," said another.

 

In a phone interview on Balitanghali on Monday, de Asis said that it is the mall's policy to keep the tenants out until the fire has been completely put out. "Hangga't hindi totally fire out 'yung nangyayari dito, hindi papapasukin ang mga tenants," he said. 

 

Firemen interviewed said that mall security had initially refused to allow firefighters to enter the mall, costing them precious time. 

 

BFP-NCR spokesman Superintendent Renato Marcial told Balitanghali that the operation was delayed because the firemen were not allowed to enter immediately. "First responder natin ay hindi kaagad pinapasok ng ating mga guwardiya. Malaking factor 'yung time element. That is very important sa ating mga first responder. Though hindi naman daw ito tumagal, pero factor pa rin 'yun na naka-delay sa pagresponde ng ating mga bumbero," he said.

 

According to Zafra's report, firemen were not allowed to enter immediately, as the mall management ordered their security to use the mall's firefighting equipment before the firemen stepped in. De Asis said the Caloocan Fire department understands the management's decision, but gave them advice on fire prevention.

 

"'Yung firefighting equipment nila i-maintain nila na operational katulad ng suppression system, firehose cabinet, fire extinguisher, smoke detector, emergency light," he said. He also assured nearby residents that the walls of the building will not collapse.

 

In the Balitanghali report, Marcial noted that there was trouble with the mall's sprinkler system. "Mayroon silang sprinkler system. Sabi ng fire marshall na kausap natin, gumana 'yung iba pero 'yung iba daw ay hindi. So ito'y titingnan natin. May mga maintenance procedures kasi diyan, so titingnan natin itong mga bagay na ito," he said.

 

Marcial recalled that in 1991, the mall also had a fire which was due to welding on the third floor.  "So ito talaga ay titingnan natin kung merong mnga kapabayaan or whatever factors bakit ito nagkaroon ng sunog," he said.

 

Atty. Trixie Angeles, legal counsel of the mall, and Caloocan Vice Mayor Edgar Erice said the fire is not connected to the mall's tax case, the report said.

 

The report also said that the fire may have started in a shoe store. The Bureau of Fire Caloocan, the local government, and the Department of Interior and Local Government are currently conducting their investigation to determine the cause of the fire, as well as possible negligence on the part of the mall's management.