Combination of factors led to NCCC mall-fire deaths – investigators

A combination of factors contributed to Research Now SSI employees being trapped during the NCCC Mall fire in Davao City, arson investigators said on GMA 7 news program "24 Oras" on Friday.

According to the Inter-agency Anti-Arson Task Force, the Research Now SSI 4th floor office was sound-proof, and the company's fire alarm system was not connected to that of the malls.

Additionally, the employees found themselves trapped after the fire broke out on the floor just beneath them.

"When the fire occurred, nasunog 'yung kisame. And the tendency of the smoke and the heat is to go upward," Task Force spokesperson Jerry Candido explained. "The office of the SSI was not fully compartmentalized, which means may mga openings." 

"So lahat ng init at saka usok ay in-engulf 'yung the whole SSI. At lahat ng exits ng SSI were all cut-off by the smoke.  That explains why 'yung ibang personnel ng SSI, they were trapped," he added.

The polyurathane foam used on the mall's ceilings were also "fire hazards."

Thirty-seven of the 38 fatalities were employees of Research Now SSI.

The other fatality was identified as security guard Mikko Demafeliz.

Meanwhile, authorities were still searching for a missing employee, Alexandra Moreno.

Assistant Interior Secretary Nestor Quinsay said that the investigation into the fire's cause would likely be completed in two days.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio  said on Thursday that she would not take part in the investigation, due to her relationship with Choice Mart, a company owned by NCCC Supermarket. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM, GMA News