Fire hits Equitable Bank building in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - A fire of still unkown cause, struck the electrical room of the 30-floor Equitable Bank building along Paseo de Roxas Street, at the heart of Makati City's business district on Thursday morning.

According to Makati Fire chief, Ricardo Perdigon, the fire at the elctrical room started at 10:34 am and reached the first alarm. The room on the building's third floor.

Responding firefighters from the Makati Central Fire Station managed to put out the blaze at about 10:58 am.

Perdigon said the firefighters were assisted by the buidling's sprinkler system and by a team of employees trained in firefighting.

"There is considerable damage but fortunately, the fire was quickly extinguished," said Perdigon.

Perdigon said a woman was rushed to the hospital after suffering an asthma attack as the building's occupants were being evacuated. Another man was assisted by paramedics after suffering from hypertension.

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire as well as the cost of damages, said Perdigon.