Fire razes old PNB building in Escolta

MANILA, Philippines - A 15-hour fire razed the old Philippine National Bank building in Escolta, Manila at dawn yesterday.

Manila fire marshal Superintendent Jaime Ramirez said the fire broke out on the building’s second floor at past 2 a.m.

“The fire razed the whole building, from ground up,” Ramirez said.

“We’re conducting mopping operations per floor to ensure that the flames would not rekindle,” he added.

The building is near Jones Bridge, which is one of the routes for the procession of the Feast of the Black Nazarene tomorrow.

Volunteer firefighter Eric Lua of the Paco fire brigade was hurt in the incident.

More than P20 million worth of property went up in smoke.

Arson probers have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

 Firefighters had difficulty putting out the blaze because of the piles of paper and light materials left inside the abandoned building.

The fire reached Task Force Bravo. About 50 to 60 fire trucks responded to contain the fire.

According to security guard Emerson Narciso, lights suddenly went out shortly before the flames engulfed the building.

The fire caused traffic jams in the area.