Fire at the Manila Central Post Office building. Photo from the Facebook page of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office
MANILA, Philippines — Seven people were injured as fire ravaged the Manila Central Post Office building, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said Monday, adding that the conflagration may have damaged around P300 million-worth of assets.
Among those hurt were five firemen, a volunteer, and a civilian. In an earlier report, the BFP identified the volunteer as 43-year-old Toto Roslin, who sustained a minor cut on his right hand.
No fatality has so far been recorded from the fire that was confirmed and raised to the first alarm at 11:41 p.m. on Sunday, May 21.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, the BFP noted.
READ: Fire hits Manila Central Post Office
The BFP said the fire reached the highest alert level of General Alarm at 5:54 a.m. Monday.
Firefighters were able to control the flames at 7:22 a.m.
Meanwhile, Manila Public Information Officer Princess Abante said Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan visited the site and expressed willingness to extend assistance.
“The details of assistance will be discussed later on with the national government,” Abante said in a statement Monday.
In 2018, the Manila Central Post Office building was declared as an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum.
Designed by Filipino architects Juan Arellano and Tomas Mapua, the neo-classical building had been destroyed during World War II and was restored in 1946.
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