Fire hits DPWH compound in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 5:19 p.m.) — A fire broke out in one of the compounds of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Quezon City on Wednesday, October 22, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The fire was declared out about an hour after the third alarm was raised at 12:58 p.m. This meant that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) had to deploy at least 12 fire trucks to attend to an estimated six to seven residential or high-rise buildings affected by the fire.

The fire broke out at the Bureau of Research and Standards in Diliman, Quezon City, the DPWH branch that conducts research, pilot testing and policy development for government infrastructure projects.

According to the BFP, the blaze was declared out before 2 p.m. Authorities, however, have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

A report by DZMM Teleradyo also said the building's security guard claimed the fire started on the third floor, where the Material Testing Division is located. Other offices on the same floor include the Technical Service Division and the technical working group.

No injuries or casualties have been reported as of writing. The Quezon City Police District is also on-site, conducting an inspection.

In a statement, the DPWH assured that no documents related to the flood control investigation were harmed. It also confirmed that no employees were injured during the incident.

"An investigation team to assess the fire incident has been deployed and is currently conducting a thorough assessment to determine the full extent of the damage and to prevent similar incidents in the future," the agency said. 

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman said it has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Fire Protection to determine whether arson or any deliberate act was committed, especially amid ongoing probes into anomalous infrastructure projects.