Floating hotel catches fire

MANILA, Philippines - A fire broke out at the Manila Floating Hotel and Casino docked near the Manila Hotel yesterday afternoon.

According to initial reports, the fire started in the ship’s smokestack at around 2:45 p.m. and was put out at about 3:58 p.m. by members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Manila Fire Department.

PCG commandant Adm. Ramon Liwag ordered the crew of its BRP Nueva Vizcaya to pump seawater from Manilay Bay into its fire cannon to douse the flames on the 100-meter vessel.

Liwag also contacted the Malayan Towage firm and requested that it have two of its tugboats on standby.

PCG spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente said the Bureau of Fire Protection also sent fire trucks to help put out the fire.