MANILA, Philippines - A fire that hit a mall in Pasay City before dawn Thursday was finally declared "out" after more than 16 hours, but firemen kept watch over the site lest the fire restart.
Radio dzBB's Louie Garcia reported that as of 10 p.m., firefighters were still conducting mopping-up operations at the Pure Gold mall along Libertad in Pasay City.
Firefighters declared the fire out past 7 p.m., more than 16 hours after the fire started - shortly before 3 a.m. At least five persons, including a volunteer, were hurt battling the blaze.
While arson investigators declined to estimate how much damage to property the fire caused, they are verifying information that the fire was deliberate.
Traffic finally "eased" in the area as Libertad was finally opened to vehicular traffic. It was not clear if the Light Rail Transit would be allowed to operate normally Friday morning. - GMANews.TV