Midnight fire hits mall in Divisoria

Thick black smoke streams out of the Divisoria Mall in Binondo, Manila, shortly after a fire broke out at midnight Thursday. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

A fire broke out shortly after midnight Thursday at a mall in Binondo, Manila.

Although more than 100 fire trucks from all over Metro Manila have been sent to battle the blaze which broke out in Divisoria Mall at the corner of Tabora and Comercio Streets, the city’s fire marshal thinks that it may take two days before it can be extinguished.

“Ninety percent of the mall has been burned and damaged,” Chief Insp. Bonifacio Carta told the Inquirer in a phone interview Thursday.

At press time, firefighters continue to battle the blaze, which started at 12:02 a.m. Thursday in the basement of the mall.

Just before dawn, they were able to rescue two security guards who were trapped inside the burning building.

The two who were identified as Teodoro Enriquez and Franklin Peralta managed to get out of the establishment by sliding down a rope. Both were reported to be in stable condition.

In the morning, the fire alarm was raised to Task Force Charlie under which all available fire trucks must be deployed to the scene.

Carta said the intense heat and thick smoke inside the building have prevented firemen from entering the structure.

“It’s very risky to go inside even [when we use our] breathing gear,” he added.

According to him, firefighters continue to pump water into the building to put out the blaze. They have also opened a portion of the establishment to prevent the heat inside from intensifying.

In September, a fire also struck the nearby Tutuban Mall. It took two days for firemen to put it out.—With a report from Tessa Distor