BALANGA CITY, Bataan— Fire continued to rage at the five-storey annex building of Galeria Victoria here on the second day Wednesday noon as smoke almost engulfed the four-storey main structure that houses various stores that include Robinsons department store and supermarket.
Firemen and firetrucks from 11 towns and one city with backup from the Freeport Area of Bataan in Mariveles town and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority tried to contain the fire that started 9:17 a.m. Tuesday.
Firemen and responders heaved a sigh of relief when they thought that they were able to subdue the fire and started entering the burning annex building dawn of Wednesday but it was short-lived.
Fire again burst and they were back to square one.
Fire reportedly crawled from the annex building to the main building and firemen broke the glass windows of the main building as smoke came out from various directions.
The city government has suspended work at 12 noon after thick smoke hit the Plaza Mayor. Different stores near the Galeria Victoria closed shop while streets in the commercial district were closed to traffic and bystanders.
A responder who begged off to be identified said the more than 24-hour fire has affected the structural integrity of the annex building. He said cracks were seen on some portions of the walls.
The annex building reportedly houses stocks of stores occupying the main building of Galeria Victoria as well as scrap materials of the building itself. A fireman said there were many chemicals in the burning building.
No one could still be interviewed as to the cause of fire. PNA-northboundasia.com