Aguirre orders NBI to probe Manila Pavilion fire

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe and build a case over the fatal fire incident at the Manila Pavilion Hotel last Sunday.

In a March 19 department order, Aguirre ordered NBI director Dante Gierran to determine the facts surrounding the incident and establish whether or not there are criminal, civil and administrative culpability on the part of the government and of the owners, managers and employees of the Manila Pavilion.

The order also tasks the NBI to "file appropriate charges" against those it deems liable, if  any, "as evidence may warrant."

Five people were killed and at least 24 were injured due to the fire, which started before 10 a.m. Sunday and was only declared under control the following morning.

The Bureau of Fire Protection is investigating the yet unconfirmed information that the fire was caused by welding work, and into reports from survivors that the water sprinklers and the alarm system of the hotel did not work.

Shares of Acesite (Phils.) Hotel Corporation, the operator of Manila Pavilion’s hotel and restaurant operations, plunged almost 8 percent in morning trading on Monday, in the aftermath of the fire incident. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News