UE on heightened alert after massive fire

A massive fire engulfs one of the buildings at the University of the East campus in Manila. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JERSON SINCHIOCO

All campuses of the University of East have been placed on a heightened security alert after a massive fire hit three of its buildings in Recto, Manila on Saturday morning.

The UE management said the blaze that hit its main campus was already under control, but the cause is still being investigated.

READ: Fire hits University of the East building

“The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The estimated damage to property is still being determined. UE Manila, as well as the other UE campuses, are on heightened security alert to ensure the safety of everyone in the UE community,” UE said in an official statement posted on its Facebook page.

The university said three of its buildings—those housing the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering, and the school chapel—were affected by the fire.

The management said the UE Manila campus will be closed to students and visitors on Monday, April 4, while other campuses—Caloocan, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, and Annex Building—will remain open.

UE said it will post a new advisory as to when its Manila campus would reopen.

A report by radio DZMM said the fire that reached Task Force Charlie may have been caused by welding work at the College of Arts and Sciences building. No casualty was reported.