Metro Manila, Philippines – Authorities said the fire that gutted the Department of Public Works and Highways Cordillera office in Baguio City was reported by a utility worker who first saw smoke in the financial management records room
Baguio Fire Marshal Mark Anthony Dangatan said the blaze was reported at 5:25 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, and was extinguished at 5:43 p.m. There were no casualties.
Dangatan said the affected area was limited to around one square meter.
Citing the account of the building’s utility worker, the marshal said the office’s security personnel and drivers first attempted to control the fire after seeing smoke from the records room.
“Their efforts continued until the Baguio City Fire Station personnel arrived at the scene and took over the fire suppression operations,” Dangatan said.
