FIRE razed several buildings in downtown Manila starting at midnight on Monday, injuring a fireman and a volunteer, officials said.
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Superintendent Romeo Rillo said the fire started at the Land Management Bureau (LMB) building at the corner of San Vicente St. and Quintin Paredes Road at 12:36 a.m.
The blaze spread to the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) along Plaza Cervantes and to the Pacific Commercial Building on Juan Luna St. in Binondo, which houses the National Archives. A fourth building, the Moraga Mansion, was also not spared.
According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the Pacific Commercial building is also known as the Juan Luna building, so named after the street.
The fire reached Task Force Charlie, the highest alarm.
Rillo said firemen had difficulty getting into the buildings. He said some fire fighters were able to get in but were forced to go out because of the thick smoke.
with ENRIQUE M. AGCAOILI