Fire at New Divisoria Mall still rages after nearly 24 hours, 3 hurt

A fire that hit a mall in Manila's Divisoria district continued to rage more than 20 hours after it started, with at least three people reported injured so far.

 

The fire at the New Divisoria Mall remained at Task Force Charlie as of 10:30 p.m., radio dzBB reported.

 

So far, three people had been reported injured but rescued. A report by dzBB's Divine Caraecle said arson investigators are verifying information that some may still be trapped inside the building.

 

Earlier Thursday, two people were rescued from the building - Teodoro Enriquez and Franklin Peralta.

 

On Thursday afternoon, a third person initially identified as Baes was rescued after being electrocuted while trying to get inside the building.

 

Police tried to cordon off the building to prevent unauthorized persons, including looters, from entering the area.

 

Initial investigation showed the fire started at the toy section at the mall's basement shortly after midnight Wednesday.

 

As of 7 p.m., flames were visible amid the thick black smoke coming out of the burning structure.

 

A separate report on "24 Oras" quoted the Bureau of Fire Protection as saying the fire could take up to five days to put out.

 

Firefighters had a hard time trying to get inside the building because of the thick black smoke.

 

Suspected looter arrested

 

Meanwhile, police arrested a suspected looter who they caught carrying seven bags of items believed taken from the mall.

 

Local residents tipped off police after seeing the man, initially idenfied as John Rey Aldaso, as acting suspiciously and carrying the seven bags. — ELR, GMA News