2 hardware stores destroyed in Makati fire

MANILA, Philippines—The fire that started at 6:30 p.m. in Barangay Bangkal, Makati City, ended at 8:07 p.m., but not before razing down two hardware stores along EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) and causing traffic.

Supt. Richard Perdigon, the Makati City fire marshal, said on Thursday night, that investigation has been going on to determine the cause of the fire, and quantify the damage that hit the Irwin’s Hardware and Edsa Bolt and Nuts Center.

The local Bureau of Fire Protection chief said the fire reached the second alarm (which meant at least six fire trucks were deployed to the scene to put out the fire, although earlier reports stated the third alarm was rung). No injury or casualty was reported since the stores were already closed when the fire occurred.

When asked if the fire ever posed a threat to the nearby underground gas leak at the West Tower Condominium at the corner of South Super Highway and Del Pilar St. positioned five blocks away from the fire site, Perdigon dismissed the possibility of a community-level fire break.

“It’s too far from here,” he said.

“Hardware items were damaged but they did not include flammable items,” Perdigon said. A fire at the third hardware store near the Edsa Bolt and Nuts Center would have worsened the situation because it stored chemicals and hardware reagents for sale, he added.

Building owner JV Gatmaitan said that he learned of the fire through his cousin who heard the news on the radio. He was working in Makati when the fire broke out. He said he said the owners of the two affected hardware stores were renting commercial space from him. Gatmaitan is hoping the damages would be covered by his insurance.

Metrobank security guard Ben Perez, who was stationed two buildings away from the hardware store, said he saw smoke while on-duty and called the barangay (village) chairman. He said fire trucks responded right away.