Short circuit eyed in Divisoria mall fire

MANILA, Philippines - Fire investigators are looking into an electrical short circuit at the toy section in the basement as a possible cause of the fire that gutted the New Divisoria Mall in Manila.

Arson probers from Manila Fire District (MFD), however, said they have forwarded the investigation to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) national headquarters to pursue.

As of yesterday afternoon – after about 90 hours since it broke out at midnight Thursday – the fire was still not declared out but remained under control.

MFD investigation head Chief Inspector Bonifacio Carta explained that a fire is only put out when there is no longer any threat it would rekindle.

He said their mopping operations continued while stall owners started to return to the gutted building to salvage remaining merchandise and properties.

According to the MFD official, 90 percent of the mall was affected by the blaze, noting that the three upper floors have already sagged while the first, second and third floors were still stable.

At least nine people were reportedly injured during the fire that broke shortly after midnight last Wednesday. It was declared under control at around 3:30 p.m. Friday.