Smoke from overheated cooling tower causes tension at Glorietta 2

MANILA, Philippines – Smoke caused by an overheating cooling tower briefly caused mild tension among shoppers at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City Thursday afternoon. But firefighters immediately put out the smoke, and the Makati City fire marshal, Chief Inspector Jose Embang Jr., allayed fears of a possible repeat of a tragic explosion last year. "It was most likely an overheating cooling tower at Glorietta 2. But we immediately put the fire out," Embang said in an interview on radio dzRH. He said security personnel quickly called in the firefighters, who declared "fire out" by 2:56 p.m. The incident took place 11 months after an explosion hit the Glorietta 2 mall, killing at least 11 persons. An investigation showed the blast was accidental, even as building and fire officials face charges for the incident. Earlier, radio dzBB cited initial reports reaching Makati City police head Supt. Gilbert Cruz indicating firefighters put out the smoke in 20 minutes. Cruz said the incident did not cause much tension among shoppers and passersby. - GMANews.TV