Fire hits UST hospital in Manila

(Updated 2:47 p.m.) A fire broke out at the University of Sto. Tomas Hospital in Manila before noon on Tuesday, ironically on the first week of Fire Prevention Month.

 

In a statement posted on Facebook, The Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST, said according to the Nursing Dean's Office, the fire broke out at a skills laboratory located on the 6th floor of the Clinical Division of the UST Hospital.

 

However, the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, it added, noting that police are looking at the possibility of an electric malfunction.

 

In a phone interview with GMA News Online, Sampaloc police's FO3 Jose Valledor said students were ushered out of the building after the fire started at around 11:12 a.m.

"Hiwalay ang pinaka-hospital; malayo sa mga pasyente," he noted. "Pero maliit lang naman ang sunog, na-contain agad."

Patients in beds and wheelchairs were also seen at the lobby of the UST Hospital Annex Building, where they were taken temporarily after the fire broke out.

Valledor added that authorities are still investigating the incident. —Amanda Fernandez/KG/KBK, GMA News