People feared trapped as fire hits Mandaluyong building

An undetermined number of people were reportedly trapped inside an under construction building which was hit by fire Thursday morning, a Mandaluyong fire official said.

“Actually meron na tayong rescuer sa itaas na nagbabasag ng salamin. ‘Yung ating sunog kontrolado na siya, makita natin visible yu'ng usok ay kulay puti na. Since may na-trap hindi pa natin alam kung empleyado 'yan, ina-assist ng ating special rescue force na maibaba,” Fire Superintendent Alberto de Baguio, Mandaluyong City Fire Marshall, told Super Radyo dzBB.

(We already have a rescuer up there and breaking the windows. The fire is now under control. But since there were people who were trapped, our special rescue force will assist them.)

A fire hit the 27th floor of Mega Tower in Brgy. Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City around 10:26 a.m. and declared under control at 1:52 p.m.. It was declared fire out at 3:50 pm.

Mark Makalalad of Super Radyo dzBB reported that they saw people waving from the building.

De Baguio said one of the problems they are facing at the moment is how to go up the building immediately.

"May self-contained breathing apparatus 'yung team para maalalayan 'yung mga biktima o 'yung mga na-trap pero hindi pa ma-identify (kung ilan ang na-trap) kasi una sa lahat ang problema natin wala pang means of travel paakyat ng 27th floor," he said.

(The team were equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus to assist the victims. We do not know yet how many were trapped but our problem now is we do not have a means to go up the 27th floor.)

In his update, Makalalad said at least 15 construction workers were rescued from the building, as of noon.

Five of the victims were treated for minor injuries.

In an official statement, SM Investments Corp. said their Emergency Response Team and Bureau of Fire Protection were immediately onsite and able control the situation.

"Everyone in the building was safely evacuated and given immediate medical attention. No one was hurt throughout the incident. A joint investigation is currently ongoing," it said.

SMIC’s SM Prime Holdings is the developer of Mega Tower.—with Ted Cordero/AOL, GMA News