Heritage building in Escolta gutted by fire

MANILA, Philippines — A post-war building in Escolta, Manila was gutted by a fire on Saturday.

In an interview yesterday, National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairman Rene Escalante said the NHCP would coordinate with fire officials to determine if there was arson in the blaze that struck the Sta. Cruz Building, which had been ordered demolished by the previous local government.

Escalante said it was the first time under his leadership of the NHCP that a structure, the demolition of which was subject of a cease and desist order, was destroyed by a fire.

He said the building should be protected under the National Cultural Heritage Act.

“We should preserve these heritage sites. This is a loss from the point of view of heritage conservation,” Escalante said.

The fire that reached the second alarm was reportedly caused by rubbish.

Since the building was abandoned, Manila fire chief investigator Capt. John Joseph Jalique said damage to property was only P1,000.

The building’s facade was 60 percent burnt, Jalique said.

 Arson probers said they were checking information that the demolition of the building was “on and off” despite the cease and desist order.

Under the law, buildings at least 50 years are considered cultural property.

The structure was built in 1948 and located in Escolta, once a bustling financial district during the colonial period.