Fire destroys 10 e-shuttles at Araneta Center

MANILA, Philippines – A fire hit the parking building of the Araneta Center in Quezon City yesterday morning, destroying at least 10 electric shuttles.

City fire marshall Senior Superintendent Jesus Fernandez said the blaze started at the basement of the south garage parking building at around 6:30 a.m.

The fire reached the second alarm before it was put out an hour later.

Initial investigation showed that the fire was caused by an overcharged battery of an e-vehicle parked on the first level of the basement, according to Fernandez.

Ten electric shuttles were destroyed by the fire while three other vehicles were damaged, causing an estimated P10 million in damages. E-shuttles are used to bring customers from one mall to another in the area, ABS-CBN reported.

Authorities said no one was hurt in the fire.