Fire razes UP Diliman building

MANILA, Philippines - A building housing the chemistry laboratories of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City was destroyed by a three-hour fire Wednesday night.

Quezon City fire marshall Senior Superintendent Bobby Baruelo said the fire allegedly broke out on the second floor of the Palma Hall Pavilion 2 of the UP Institute of Chemistry.

UP College of Science secretary Evangeline Amor told arson probers the fire could have started where flammable chemicals were stashed in the organic chemistry and biochemistry laboratories.

Baruelo said before the fire started at around 11 p.m., some people were seen working on unspecified research projects at around 9:45 p.m.

No one was reported hurt or killed in the blaze. Classes at the building were suspended yesterday because of the incident.