Fire hits paint store in Marikina

MANILA, Philippines—A fire broke out in a commercial building and destroyed a still undetermined value of combustible paint products in Marikina City before noon Monday, fire authorities said.

Except for two fire volunteers who fainted as firefighters struggled to put out the fire, no one else was reported hurt, SFO2 Noel Alarcon, arson investigator, said over the phone.

The fire started at 10:50 a.m. at the Carter Paint Center located on the second floor of M-R Realty Building along Marcos Highway in Barangay San Roque.

It took around 20 minutes before firefighters put out the fire, which authorities said reached the fourth alarm.

Alarcon said the employees heard a crackling noise before seeing thick smoke engulfing the whole store.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other business establishments in the building.

“We have yet to assess the damage but all the products stored inside were destroyed by the fire,” Alarcon said.

The cause of the fire, however, remained under investigation.