Fire hits Batasan building

MANILA, Philippines – A fire broke out at a portion of the Batasan Pambansa building in Quezon City Monday night.

The fire originated from an outside broadcast van parked at the north wing of the building, said city fire marshal Superintendent Jesus Fernandez.

The fire started at around 9 p.m. and reached first alarm before it was put out around 45 minutes later.

Firefighters on seven fire trucks responded to the blaze, which was reportedly caused by a power surge in the wiring of the van.

The fire destroyed wiring cables from the van to the satellite dish on the roof deck. Fire probers estimated property damage at around P1 million, but said the building did not sustain any structural damage.