BFP probes alleged sprinkler failure in Manila Pavilion Hotel fire

Officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Manila Disaster Risk and Reduction Management (MDRRMO) will launch a probe as to why the sprinkler system of the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino failed to kick-in when fire struck on Sunday morning.

Johnny Yu, director of the Manila Disaster Risk and Reduction Management (MDRRMO) said on Monday that according to a report from the BFP, the sprinklers of the hotel did not work during the fire.

“Actually meron po silang sprinkle system, and advise lang po sa amin yesterday based sa report ng Bureau of Fire, na hindi gumana yung sprinkler system nila during the fire,” Yu said in an interview with dzBB.

“We’ll be conducting an initial investigation right after the fire,” he added.

Yu said that one possibility why the sprinkler system of the hotel did not work was because of the ongoing renovation at the second floor of the Manila Pavilion Hotel.

“Kung sasabihin ho natin na hindi gumana, kasi marami hong probability dahil nirerevonate yung area nung nasunog. Yun po yung titingnan natin, isang bagay po dun, isang anggulo, na baka naman sinasabi nila na hindi gumana, because of the renovation,” he said.

It was earlier reported that the fire might have started from the building’s ground floor where the casino is located. The fire left five casino employees dead, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

Four of the fatalities were identified as John Mark Sabido, Billy de Castro, Jun Evangelista, and Marilyn Umadto.

According to Yu, the MDRRMO is still assessing the extent of the damage caused by the fire. He added that the fire heavily damaged the casino area.

“Mostly ang nasunog kasi dito sa may casino side eh — mula first floor, mezzanine, second floor,”  he said.

“Ang side po ng hotel, ang nasunog lang is mostly yung mezzanine at third floor,” Yu added.

At around 9:30 a.m. of Sunday, fire struck the Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino along UN Avenue in Ermita, Manila. The fire quickly reached Task Force Bravo after two hours.

The BFP declared the fire “under control” at 8:00 a.m. of Monday.

READ: Fire ‘under control’ at Manila Pavilion Hotel, death toll rises to 4  /muf