Fire continues to consume Tutuban mall past the 24-hour mark

A fire that started over 24 hours ago and which continues to consume the Tutuban mall in Manila's Divisoria district showed no sign of weakening early Thursday.

 

The fire has, so far, caused a single casualty – a senior citizen was injured after debris from the burning mall fell on her head, according to a report on dzBB radio.

 

The report said the woman, initially identified as Carina Musngi, was rushed to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said on its Twitter account the fire had reached Task Force Delta as of 9 p.m. Wednesday. The Bureau of Fire Protection’s regional director now has jurisdiction over the fire-fighting efforts.

 

Firefighters continued to race to the area Wednesday night, according to a separate report by dzBB's Manny Vargas.

 

Earlier Wednesday, some firefighters had to use breathing equipment due to the thick smoke.

 

The initial investigation showed the fire started at 12:41 a.m. at Cluster Building 1 of the Tutuban Mall. The building is a three-story, mostly-concrete commercial structure.

 

A report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the fire alert level was raised to Task Force Charlie as early as 5:35 a.m.

 

Citing initial information, the NDRRMC said the fire started at the ground floor, in the mid-portion of Stall C-18. The stall is rented by a Maria Theresa Chen.

 

The fire then spread across the commercial building. — DVM, GMA News