Fire hits iconic Metropolitan Theater in Manila

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 12:36 p.m.) — A fire broke out at the Metropolitan Theater in Arroceros, Ermita, Manila on Friday morning, the Bureau of Fire Protection confirmed. 

Per reports, the Bureau of Fire Protection Manila said that the fire started at 8:55 a.m.

The situation was eventually raised to a second alarm by 9:00 a.m. due to the thickness of the smoke coming out.

According to the Manila Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office, the fire was declared under control as of 9:23 a.m. and was put out by 9:41 a.m.

In a statement issued later Friday morning, the Metropolitan Theater disclosed that the fire originated in a room on the first floor of the Padre Burgos Wing of the building which was still being renovated.

The theater added that no casualties, injuries or damage to property was reported except for some old and rotten equipment removed from various parts of the stage.

"We also thank everyone who expressed solidarity on social media. It only continues to intensify our desire to serve even more to finally revive our Tanghalang Bayan," the statement also read in Filipino. 

Inaugurated in 1931, the Metropolitan Theater has long been known as a classic venue for events involving the arts and culture. 

The venue received the national historical marker in 1978, and was named a "national cultural treasure" in 2010. It was closed in 1996 and only recently reopened after 25 years in 2021.