Fire hits Makati warehouse

MANILA, Philippines - A two-storey warehouse in Barangay Bangkal in Makati was hit by a fire of unknown origin on New Year’s eve.

Makati Fire Marshal Ricardo Perdigon said the fire struck the warehouse located at 2245 Don Chino Roces Avenue at about 10:38 p.m.

The fire quickly reached the fifth alarm by 11:30 p.m. Perdigon said the blaze was placed under control by 1:20 a.m. and was declared extinguished by 1:44 a.m.

Perdigon said there were no casualties in the fire as arson investigators are still determining what triggered it.

Initial information still being verified by arson investigators said the fire was allegedly caused by a firecracker explosion at the second floor of the warehouse where a canteen is also located.

The Makati Fire Department earlier reminded city residents on the existing ban on the use of firecrackers and fireworks in Barangay Bangkal and in the nearby barangays of Magallanes and Pio Del Pilar.

Barangays Bangkal, Magallanes and Pio Del Pilar were heavily affected by the oil leak from the pipeline of the First Philippine Industrial Corp.

The ban on the use of fireworks and firecrackers in these barangays was ordered by City Ordinance No. 2010-A-020.

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said that although the cleaning phase of the oil leak has been continuing, the ordinance remains in effect to prevent further harm on residents of the affected barangays.