Object’s fall started fire in Valenzuela warehouse

MANILA, Philippines - Sparks caused by the impact of a hard object that fell to the floor started a fire that gutted a warehouse in Valenzuela Friday, an official said yesterday.

City fire marshal Jonas Sylvano said three workers of the Loyola Family Industrial Corp. accidentally dropped the object, causing sparks that ignited nearby chemicals.

The workers sustained injuries as they were near the area where the fire started, he added.

Sylvano clarified that his statement is based on the initial results of their investigation.

He said the fire started at around 10 a.m. and lasted more than seven hours, spreading to two junk shops, until it was put out at around 5 p.m.

He said no one was reported killed, but the fire destroyed P3 million worth of property. 

Firefighters had to use aqueous film-forming foam before they were able to control the spread of the fire, Sylvano said.

He said that they are checking if the warehouse – reportedly owned by brothers Mark and Jacob Go – is covered by a fire safety inspection clearance.