Fire along Avenida causes temporary suspension of LRT operations

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE)–Smoke from a fire which broke out in a residential area along Avenida Rizal Friday morning has caused temporary operations of the Light Rail Transit, a spokesman from the LRT Authority told Inquirer.net.

LRTA spokesman lawyer Hernando Cabrera said LRT operations has been “hampered by the smoke and the flames, particularly Blumentritt Station” prompting them to temporarily suspend operations from 9:20 a.m. to 10:17 a.m.
“We could only operate half of our line, from Baclaran to Central Station, because of the smoke but we quickly resumed normal operations by 10:17 a.m.,” said Cabrera.

The fire that affected homes made of light materials has been declared under control Friday morning, Bureau of Fire Protection National Capital Region Senior Fire Officer 2 Celestino Aurigue said.

He said the fire that started 9:12 a.m and reached third alarm at 9:30 am. “It has been declared under control at around 9:42 a.m. (but) has not been put out yet” said Aurigue.

He added that authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire.