Fire breaks out at Manila City Hall

A fire broke out at a portion of Manila City Hall on Wednesday morning.

The fire started shortly before 6 a.m. and affected the Office of the Vice Mayor on the second floor, according to a report of GMA News’ Jhomer Apresto on Unang Balita.

Thick smoke covered the second floor, prompting firefighters to use large exhaust fans and breathing apparatus with oxygen tanks.

A 74-year-old senior citizen said people waiting to seek medical assistance at the Manila Department of Social Welfare ran after seeing flames inside the city hall.

The fire was placed under control at 6:16 a.m., then declared extinguished at 6:21 a.m.

Firefighters remained at the scene and continued spraying water on the affected second-floor area.

No deaths or injuries were reported in the fire incident.

Guards announced that payouts for people seeking medical assistance under the Manila Department of Social Welfare and Office of the Vice Mayor were canceled on Wednesday.

Electrical problem

Manila Vice Mayor Chi Atienza said the fire was reportedly due to an electrical problem involving a refrigerator.

Atienza said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) determined that the fire started in the pantry after the refrigerator, which was plugged into an old electrical outlet with deteriorated wiring, sparked.

“Dahil sa ref na nakasaksak, dahil daw luma ang mga electrical wires dito at mga saksakan, nag-spark po ang ref,” she said in a video message posted on Facebook.

(The refrigerator sparked because it was plugged in, due to the old electrical wiring and outlets.)

A large portion of the pantry was burned in the incident, while some parts of the office ceiling also fell.

Atienza said her office would remain temporarily closed while they wait for the BFP's assessment and clearance.

Once the area is cleared, repairs and cleanup of the kitchen and pantry will begin, she said.

Despite the damage, Atienza said services would continue and tables would be set up outside her office starting Thursday to ensure that assistance for residents seeking help from her office would continue. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News