Divisoria mall fire out, but tension flares between tenants, guards

The fire that razed the New Divisoria Mall in Manila since last week may have finally been put out, but tempers continued to flare in the area as tenants clashed with guards securing the area.

 

Security guards and firefighters refused to allow tenants to enter the building as they are wary of a possible rekindling of the fire, radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported.

 

But some tenants who tried to force their way into the mall premises hurled water bottles at the guards, some of which hit the firefighters.

 

The tension prompted precinct commander Senior Inspector Gilbert Cruz to call for police reinforcements to the area.

 

A separate report on "24 Oras" said some of the tenants wanted to get inside the building to see the extent of the damage to their merchandise.

 

 

The fire at the New Divisoria Mall started early Thursday and reached Task Force Charlie. It was placed under control Friday and put out early Monday.

 

Arson investigators are looking into the theory that an electrical short circuit started the fire.

 

Investigators also estimated the damage to property at P250 million. —KG, GMA News