P100M properties lost so far in Gotesco mall fire in Caloocan City

MANILA, Philippines—Properties worth roughly P100 million have already been destroyed by the still ongoing fire that hit a mall in Caloocan City on Friday, a fire official from Caloocan fire station said Monday.

Senior Fire Officer 4 Randy Resurreccion said the blaze in Ever Gotesco Grand Central Mall was declared under control at 11:50 p.m. Saturday, but that it has not been completely put out as of posting time.

“It’s been blazing for almost three days now,” he said.

Resurreccion said that while the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, initial observation on the possible origin of fire showed that it might have started at the ceiling of the Rusty Lopez shoe store boutique.

He also said a Caloocan firefighter identified as Senior Fire Officer 1 Renato Sabar was injured after sustaining minor laceration wounds.

“Aside from Sabar, others were just complaining of difficulty in breathing,” he said, adding that they are not considered as wounded and that it was just part of their job.

He said around 100 fire trucks have been used to put out the fire, which started around 10:40 p.m. Friday.—Jamie Marie Elona