DILG chief orders probe of Caloocan City mall fire

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo over the weekend ordered a full investigation of the fire that destroyed the Grand Central mall in Caloocan City this weekend.

 

Robredo ordered BFP Chief Superintendent Carlito Romero to lead the investigation team, according to a report on dzBB radio early Monday.

 

The report said Robredo is particularly keen on verifying claims that arson may have been involved in the fire that started Friday night.

 

He ordered an inter-agency task force to handle the investigation.

 

For his part, Caloocan Mayor Enrico Echiverri urged investigators to look at the possibility of arson, citing information that the mall's owners were deep in debt.

 

The fire started before 11 p.m. Friday and was placed under control before midnight of Saturday.

 

As of 2:30 p.m. Sunday, volunteer firefighter group TXTFire said the fire was still considered "under control."

 

At least 17 people were reported injured in the fire, while 12 houses were damaged.

 

On Monday, firefighters continued to  take precautions to prevent the mall fire from rekindling. –KG, GMA News