Fire hits Manila condo

MANILA, Philippines—A fire of still unknown origin that hit a condominium building along Vito Cruz Avenue, Manila was put out after almost two hours, a fire official from the National Capital Region Bureau of Fire Protection said.

Fire Officer 3 Sheila Balaba said the fire in Legaspi Tower located along Vito Cruz corner Roxas Boulevard, Manila that started at 10:55 a.m. reached fourth alarm before it was declared “fire out” at 12:43 p.m.

She said that while there were earlier reports that the 14th floor was the one on fire, she said based on the reports of firefighters who responded to the fire, it was the 15th floor that was affected by the blaze.

The fire broke out in unit 15-B, Legaspi Towers 300, five floors below the home of Manila mayor Alfredo Lim.

Lim, who maintains a unit at the tower’s 20th floor, rushed to the building to check family members, all of whom were safely evacuated.

Tenants of the 22-story building showed no signs of panic when they were evacuated from their units and instructed to wait at the lobby for the smoke to clear.

No immediate reports of injuries or casualties were reported as of posting time, as Balaba added that the amount of damages, as well as the cause of fire will both be determined after further investigation. With Jeannette I. Andrade, Philippine Daily Inquirer