Fire hits Amvel building

MANILA, Philippines — A fire broke out at a building in a compound owned by El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City at past midnight yesterday.

Security guard Rodante dela Cruz told arson investigators that he saw the fire shortly before 1 a.m. after hearing explosions from within the Grocery Keeper Cooperative at Amvel Business Park.

He initially thought thieves had broken in.

Dela Cruz said he called the firefighters before the fire started to spread.

The fire reached fifth alarm and destroyed P2 million worth of property before it was put out more than four hours later, city fire marshal Robert Picas said.

No one was reported killed or injured after around 100 tenants evacuated the building when they noticed the fire, Picas said.

He said they are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

The owner of the building could be held liable because it has no sprinkler system, Picas added