Fire destroys Lopez mansion in Iloilo City

FIRE razed the Lopez-owned “Pink Mansion” in Iloilo City near midnight on Sunday. IAN PAUL CORDERO/contributor

ILOILO CITY—Fire razed an iconic pink-colored mansion of the Lopez family in Iloilo City before midnight on Sunday destroying property worth at least P10 million.

None of the occupants of the mansion including Emmanuel “Nikki” Lopez was injured but three firefighters were treated for minor wounds and difficulty in breathing.

Lopez is one of the six children of the late former Vice President Fernando Lopez.

The fire broke out shortly before 10:45 p.m. on Sunday and was controlled by 11:31 p.m. It was put out at 12:54 a.m. on Monday, according to Fire Officer 2 Denmark Macoco, arson investigator of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Iloilo City.

Macoco said the fire destroyed about 95 percent of the two-story building,

The mansion is beside other Lopez-owned mansions and the ABS-CBN complex along General Luna Street in La Paz District. The other mansions including that of former Iloilo Rep. Alberto “Albertito” Lopez were spared.

The house was popularly known as the “Pink Mansion” and was an attraction to Ilonggos and visitors for its pink-colored tall concrete walls and wooden gate.

Macoco said the fire started at the ceiling of the building’s second floor and spread to other parts of the house.

The BFP is still investigating the cause of the fire. Investigators have taken samples of debris and electric wires for laboratory testing to determine what triggered the fire.

Macoco said a volunteer firefighter identified as Kenneth Navarro suffered minor injuries while FO1 Guillermo Gentolea and a certain FO1 Oresco received medical attention after they had difficulty in breathing during the firefighting operation.