Rubbish fire sparks at Bureau of Treasury, quickly put out

A rubbish fire sparked in a portion of the Plaza del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila on Monday but was put out quickly by authorities, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

The BFP said the fire ignited on the 6th floor of the building, where the Bureau of Treasury is located. It was declared fired out at 12:42 p.m.

No fatalities or injuries were reported.

In a separate statement, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced the suspension of work in its offices to give way for the BFP’s investigation and safety assessment.

The poll body occupies the 7th and 8th floors of the Palacio, as well as portions of the ground and 5th floors.

No aspect of the 2023 BSKE preparations, as well as Comelec general administration activities and regular operations were affected by the fire, it added.

“While the frontline services in the issuance of the Voter's Registration Records and Certifications of the National Central File Division of the Election Records and Statistics Department in Cabildo St., continue as usual, issuance of the Overseas Voter's Certificates by the Office for Overseas Voting, which is located at the 7th Floor of the Palacio del Gobernador Bldg., shall be suspended for the remainder of the day and will resume tomorrow,” the Comelec said. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News