Cebu mall fire declared under control

CEBU, Philippines -  After more than 24 hours, the fire that hit the Metro Gaisano Mall in Cebu City’s business park was declared under control shortly after noon yesterday.

Fire officials declared the blaze under control at 12:45 p.m.

Damage to the fire, which started at around 9:30 p.m. on Friday on the mall’s third floor, was placed at P100 million.

Efforts to put out the fire continued, but firefighters would no longer attempt to enter the building as the structure might collapse.

Cebuanos expressed concern for the mall employees, who stand to lose their jobs because of the incident.

Vincent Tomaneng, counsel for the Metro Retail Stores Group Inc., gave the assurance that the management would transfer the employees to their other stores.

Tomaneng said the company would also give the workers’ salary.

He denied allegations that the fire was intentional, saying the Metro Gaisano Mall is one of the largest income-generating stores among their 21 establishments in Cebu.

No one was reported killed in the blaze.          – The Freeman