MANILA, Philippines – A fire razed a commercial building still under construction on Meralco Avenue at Barangay San Antonio, Ortigas Center.
Reports said the building stands between One Corporate Centre and The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel. Tenants of the surrounding buildings already evacuated at 2 p.m. as the blaze reached first alarm around 1:41 p.m.
The Metro Manila Development Authority said that as of 2:51 p.m., the fire reached third alarm. The Bureau of Fire Protection, meanwhile, reported that the incident is currently on fourth alarm.
Netizens said the fire caused a traffic buildup, forcing the closure of some areas in Ortigas Center.
Fire in Ortigas Center near Tektite Tower. Buildings being evacuated. pic.twitter.com/r8nHZMm8EJ
— Ricky Carandang (@rickycarandang) November 2, 2015 Portion of Meralco Avenue near Julia Vargas closed to traffic due to fire in Ortigas Center. pic.twitter.com/XJ1D3xmXo3
— Ricky Carandang (@rickycarandang) November 2, 2015 As of press time, fire fighters are still in the area to put out the flames said to have originated from the basement.