Ayala Mall reopening deferred

CEBU, Philippines — The Bureau of Fire Protection in Central Visayas has recommended to the Ayala Mall management to postpone its reopening because of the danger that the cooling towers on the sixth floor of the burnt Metro Gaisano building might collapse.

BFP-7 Director Samuel Tadeo recalled his earlier recommendation giving the mall the go signal to reopen after they found out that the cooling towers are listing to the mall.

He said the towers weighing at least 60 tons absorbed heat from all the airconditioning units of the department store.

 “Iyon sa pag-ikot namin kanina, iyon nakita natin na nakatagilid na ang cooling tower sa itaas kaya nirekomenda natin sa Ayala na huwag mag-open kasi baka bumagsak. Siyempre uunahain ang safety ng tao,” Tadeo said.

He said there were also damages seen at the mall.

“Ang groundfloor na damage sa water during sapag-check, may mga sira, basa at saka iyong mga kisame ay sira-sira,” said Tadeo.

Tadeo said there is a big possibility that the damage could be bigger than the earlier estimate of P100 million. He said the composite team has already started its investigation and has gathered statements from the employees assigned at the area where the fire started.

Tadeo said they will know from the employees if the reports that the sprinkler system was not functioning were true.

“Malalaman po natin sa mga statements ng mga personnel at mga nag-responde may mga ini-invite din tayo na galing from Ayala naisa sa mga sumaklolo roon. Lahat nga ang gulo titingnan natin, lalabas din naman iyon sa investigation natin,” Tadeo said.

Metro Gaisano Ayala caught fire Friday evening. It took almost three days for firefighters to extinguish the fire that allegedly started at the toy stockroom on the third floor. (FREEMAN)