Probe on Munti fire, transmission tower collapse underway

MANILA, Philippines - Informal settlers at the foot of a National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) transmission tower in Muntinlupa City have been living in the area — complete with air-conditioning units, refrigerator and other appliances — for 30 years when the steel structure nearly collapsed during last Wednesday’s fire, according to investigators from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Investigators have collected pieces of evidence that will be submitted to laboratory examinations to determine the cause of the fire at the residential area at Kilometer 25, Napocor Road by the Alabang viaduct main carriageway.

City fire chief Superintendent Gilbert Dolot said residents were pointing at each other on where the fire originated.

“Halos kalahati ng residential area ‘yung nasunog (Almost half of the residential area was razed by the fire). Our investigators have collected some pieces of evidence for laboratory examination,” Dolot told The STAR.

The BFP said about 50 households were affected by the fire.

A video taken using a drone operated by BFP Muntinlupa personnel showed Tower 34 of the Biñan-Muntinlupa 230kV Lines 1 and 2 almost collapsing as its base softened due to the heat of the fire.

Dolot said the NGCP administration is addressing the concern on the transmission tower that bended onto the viaduct.

Initial reports revealed that the fire broke out in the area, which is also beside the Alabang toll plaza, at around 8:50 a.m.

Motorists on the northbound lane of the South Luzon Expressway were barred from passing as the flames spread near the thoroughfare.

BFP Muntinlupa posted on Twitter a photo of the incident.

Power restored

Meanwhile, power has been restored in areas affected by the fire, even as the NGCP has yet to complete the restoration of the power line. The restoration may take three days, it said.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said it was able to put back electricity service to households and establishments late Wednesday, the same day the fire and tower collapse occurred.

“All affected customers now have electricity, except for the toll booth,” Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said in a text message.

Around 70 customers in Alabang, Muntinlupa and BF Homes, Parañaque experienced power interruption due to the blaze that weakened the tower’s foundation.

Viral video

On social media, the video of the collapsing transmission tower has gone viral.

Netizens commended the BFP Muntinlupa City for a “very good” shot of the drone while the fire was raging.

The video, which lasts 61 seconds, has so far garnered 1,401,734 views; 8,973 shares; 4,300 likes and 2,800 comments.?

Dolot said he was using his personal drone camera and helped two BFP personnel undergo basic and advanced training to operate it.?

He added that the drone camera was very useful in assessing the scope of the fire damage. – With Danessa Rivera