Result of Grand Central fire probe out next month

MANILA, Philippines - The results of an investigation into the four-day fire that gutted the Gotesco Grand Central mall in Caloocan City last month may be released by the first week of May, an inter-agency task force of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said yesterday.

“Just be patient. We will be coming out with the report within the period given us,” task force head Chief Superintendent Fennimore Jaudian said. DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo gave the task force 45 days from the day the fire broke out on March 16 within which to submit a report.

The fire raged for four days before it was put out by firefighters. A day after declaring the fire was out, the blaze re-ignited, sending firemen scrambling to put it out for good.

Then city fire chief Senior Superintendent Oscar de Asis has been reassigned to the National Capital Region office under Chief Superintendent Santiago Laguna pending an investigation of allegations that he was drunk and fast asleep at the height of the blaze.