Clearing operations start at Cebu mall after fire declared out

Senior Supt. Samuel Tadeo, BFP Central Visayas chief, has declared fire out at Metro Department Store in Ayala Center Cebu, two days after it broke out from at the store’s third floor on Friday night. (Photo by TONEE DESPOJO / Cebu Daily News)

CEBU CITY — The Ayala Center Cebu (ACC) started clearing operations after the fire that hit the adjacent Metro Department Store had been put out on Monday.

But mall management could not tell when ACC would reopen since they would have to make sure that all systems were working and the mall was safe before opening.

“We will conduct a thorough cleanup and full systems check before re-opening to the public,” said ACC in a statement.

But it assured that the fire was contained to the Metro Department Store.

“The main mall of Ayala Center Cebu remained largely unaffected by the fire,” it added.

Fire broke out from the stockroom of the toys section on the third floor of the department store at 9:48 p.m. on Friday.

It was declared under control past noon on Sunday, almost 40 hours after it started.

At 4:18 p.m. on Monday, the Senior Supt. Samuel Tadeo, chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection Central Visayas, declared fire out.

In a statement, the ACC thanke the BFP, the Cebu City Disaster and Risk Management Office, the Philippine National Police, and all emergency responders and volunteers who tirelessly worked around the clock to put out the fire and ensure everyone was safe.

“Thankfully, there are no reported injuries or casualties resulting from the incident,” the statement said. /atm