Fire gutted the popular UP Shopping Center at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City Thursday morning.
UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Lim Tan said the incident would greatly impact the UP community.
“Well everyone, if you think about it. At one time or another pupunta [sila] dito, from photocopying to haircuts to ID pictures, ‘yan [shopping center] ang main source,” Tan said.
The blaze started around 7 a.m. and immediately razed the establishment, which housed eateries, photo and photocopy stores as well as school supplies and novelty shops.
It was home to the iconic Rodic’s Diner, which was established way back in 1949.
Ang Rodic's Diner sa UP Shopping Center na taong 1949 pa nang itayo | @jongmanlapaz @inquirerdotnet @InqMetro pic.twitter.com/dozKYpX5YR
— RadyoInquirer990AM (@dzIQ990) March 8, 2018
The affected establishments would be temporarily settled right across the burned center.
— lorenzo! (@lorenzotorres__) March 7, 2018
Firemen were able to put out the flames at the building around 8:53 a.m., a Radyo Inquirer report said.