Fire hits Manila Pen’s basement

MANILA, Philippines - A fire of yet still unknown origin broke out at the basement of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City yesterday afternoon.

Makati fire chief Ric Perdigon said the blaze started at past 1 p.m. and quickly reached the first alarm. Firefighters put the fire under control an hour later and put the flames out in another half-hour.

 â€œWe had difficulty entering the basement because of the thick smoke. We had to wear breathing equipment,” Perdigon said.

Mariano Garchitorena, speaking for the hotel, said there were no reported casualties in the fire. Arson investigators have yet to determine the cost of the damage caused by the blaze, Perdigon said.

According to the city’s fire chief, the blaze started at the carpentry and paint section of the basement where the hotel’s engineering section and pump room are also located.

He said all of the employees stationed at the hotel’s basement were quickly evacuated by the hotel’s in-house fire brigade. “Their in-house fire brigade’s good,” Perdigon said.

He said yesterday’s fire was the second for Makati in March, during which the government observes Fire Prevention Month.