Body found at burned Davao mall six months after fire

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  — The remains of another victim of a fire that hit a mall in this city six months ago was recovered on Wednesday.

The body was found on the third floor of the NCCC mall, which is being demolished.

Thirty-eight persons, mostly call center staff of American firm Survey Sampling International, died in the fire on Dec. 23.

“Upon validating with the contractor, we immediately secured the area and informed the interagency task force, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police and Scene of the Crime Operatives... for investigation and transfer of the body to a safe place,” the NCCC said in a statement.

“We are focused on ensuring the proper identification of the body and preserving the dignity of the deceased,” the NCCC added.

The mall management said updates and queries on the  matter would be addressed by the regional office of the BFP.

Fire probers have ruled out arson as the cause of the fire, saying it started from a short-circuit in the ceiling between the fabric and furniture sections on the third floor of the mall.