Fire hits office of ARMM poll watchdog

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A fire of still unknown origin destroyed the office here of an election watchdog in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, fire officials said.

No one was reported hurt in the fire, which came amid heavy rain.

Superintendent Adam Guiamad, city fire chief, said the fire started at about 7:30 p.m. Monday in the storage room of the Citizens Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reforms (C-CARE) on the 5th floor of the Moya Yu Ekey Building, along Don Rufino Alonzo Avenue.

Guiamad said firefighters placed the fire under control about an hour after they responded.

“Thick smoke billowed from the storage room of C-CARE and we are still investigating what caused the fire,” he said, adding that he learned C-CARE staff had a kitchen inside their office.

“We would like to find out who the last person was to leave the 5th floor,” he said.

Also on the 5th floor of the building are the Bureau of Treasury Office 12, Japan International Cooperating Agency Consultants’ Office and other NGO offices.

On the other floors are the ARMM Social Fund Project Office, Department of Trade and Industry, Pag-Ibig office and Land Bank of the Philippines.

Fire investigators have also yet to determine the cost of damage to property.