Inspection of all buildings in Camp Crame set after fire incident

Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina has ordered the inspection of all buildings in Camp Crame after fire hit the old building of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) Sunday night.

The IAS is the unit of the Philippine National Police probing cases of erring policemen.

In a chance interview Monday, Espina said he has directed the Headquarters Support Service to conduct mandatory checkup of all facilities in the camp following the incident.

“There might be wirings that are exposed — exposing the building or buildings to fire. I have directed the HSS last night (Sunday),” he said.

Meanwhile, spokesperson Senior Superintendent Adriatico del Camat assured the public that all documents of IAS remain intact.

“We assure the public that no documents were left in the building when IAS transferred to a new building last January,” he said.

Although Del Camat said they have yet to confirm if there was an injured victim, initial reports on Sunday said a casual worker named Julius Nicolas suffered lacerations on his right ankle.

“The reported casualty is still subject to validation,” Del Camat said.

The fire started at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and was put out a little over one hour later after it reached third alarm.

The cause of the fire was still undetermined as the PNP awaits the details of the report from the Quezon City Fire Department.

Initial reports from the BFP said the cost of damages from the fire was P50,000. Espina, however, expressed doubt over the estimated cost. “I would peg it higher than P50,000,” he said.