3 missing as fire destroys Cagayan De Oro justice hall building

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – Three persons were reported missing in a fire that destroyed the hall of justice building here Friday night.

The fire, which broke out at around 9:30 p.m. also destroyed judicial documents, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

Two of the missing persons were identified as Benjamin Buna and Jeffrey Urban.

The BFP has yet to assess the damage as explosions at the site prevented them from inspecting the area, which was cordoned off.

Court branches housed in the building keep bullets, grenades and other explosives used as evidence in trials.

Arson investigators have yet to start their probe as the explosives and ordnance team of the Cagayan de Oro police declared the area unsafe.

The fire reached general alarm level and razed the two-story building, located in Barangay Cogon, to the ground.

Trial court branches 40 and 41 were spared as these are located in a separate building.