Manila firefighters get false alarm

MANILA, Philippines - A false alarm caused firefighters yesterday to rush back to the old Philippine National Bank (PNB) building that was razed by fire earlier this week.

A caller reported to Manila Fire Department that thick smoke billowed from the building’s third floor. But when firefighters responded about 11 a.m., they saw nothing. 

“We checked the area and only saw exhaust coming from a pile of wet debris,” said Superintendent Jaime Ramirez, the city fire marshal.

“This is normal. The smoke’s expected to die down after 24 hours depending on the thickness of the debris,” he added.

The PNB building caught fire two days before the feast of the Black Nazarene, forcing authorities to change the procession’s route.

Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of fire but said flames started on the abandoned building’s second floor. The fire lasted more than 15 hours and it took about 50 to 60 water trucks before it was put out.