(CNN Philippines) — After more than 12 hours, the fire at Victory Central Mall in Caloocan City was officially declared out at 10:05 p.m. on Monday (May 4).
The estimated cost of damage is at P8 million, mostly due to the destroyed garments being sold in the mall.
Two firefighters also got minor injuries.
Fire Insp. Jyner Cariño received wounds on his right index finger while fire volunteer Alan Dimal had scrapes on his left knee.
Task Force Charlie
Caloocan’s Bureau of Fire Protection said that the fire started at the Yellow Lane ready-to-wear store located at the mall’s mezzanine.
The first alarm was raised at 9:40 a.m. and went up to Task Force Charlie at 1:35 p.m. before it was declared under control more than three hours later.
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Fire at Caloocan's Victory Central Mall declared out at 10:05PM, lasted for more than 12 hours @cnnphilippines pic.twitter.com/XdqLbn3TUx
— Rex Remitio (@RexRemitio) May 4, 2015
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By that time, flames were already confined at the second floor and is not expected to spread further.
Firefighters said this afternoon’s downpour helped in extinguishing the fire faster.
Electrical wiring problem
The cause of fire remains under investigation but the city’s fire marshal, Superintendent Roel Diaz, said he saw problems in the mall’s electrical wiring.
The city government ordered the temporary closure of the mall while the probe is ongoing.
Looting
The police also arrested a 26-year old man who pretended to be a fire volunteer.
He was frisked by security guards as he exited the mall and was found with mobile phones and tablets.
The police said there might be more like him taking advantage of the fire which is why security was tightened with around 30 policemen patrolling the area on Monday.
