CASE SOLVED | BFP rules Manila Post Office fire was accidental, officials move to rehabilitation

June 6, 2023 , 10:35 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(June 6, 2023) – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said a car battery explosion in a storage room of the Manila Central Post Office started the fire that engulfed the historical structure last month, ruling that the cause of the fire was accidental.

In a report by arson investigators, the “sudden self-discharge of car battery resulting to thermal run-away” led to the buildup of pressure and heat that eventually caused the explosion originating from the Mega Manila storage room—where office supplies, thinners, and paint cans were also kept—in the southern part of the basement.

“The combustibility of the load contents and its enclosed set-up greatly influence heat build-up that explains the explosion and subsequent conflagration. This led to the full development of fire and subsequent damage of the nearby structures,” the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), citing the BFP report, said in a statement.

Aside from the combustible materials, the BFP also cited other factors that contributed to the fire that reached “general alarm” at one point and lasted for around 30 hours.

“The presence of the internal short circuit, the hydrogen and the volatile gases contained in the battery, and the presence of oxygen as oxidizing agent initiated the ignition. The contributory factors and the combustibility of materials fueled and sustained the ignition sequence,” added the PHLPost.

With this, the BFP said the post office fire is now considered a closed case.

“We welcomed the result of the investigation from the BFP to know exactly what really happened. We will move on and concentrate primarily on the recovery and rehabilitation of the iconic building,” said PHLPost postmaster general Luis Carlos.

Several lawmakers called for an investigation into the incident to know what could have been done to prevent the massive destruction of the neo-classical building. Others also demanded stronger policies to protect cultural properties from such accidents.

Sen. Ralph Recto suggested tapping into the P13 billion contingent fund, which President Bongbong Marcos Jr. controls, to finance the rebuilding of the post office.

Many also sought the rehabilitation of the Manila Central Post Office, which was originally built in 1926, because of its high level of importance.

Located in Ermita, the historical landmark was designed by Juan Arellano and Tomas Mapua. But the original structure was destroyed in the Battle of Manila during World War II. In 1946, the architectural gem was rebuilt based on its original design to preserve history.

Amid concerns about the future of the post office after the fire, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna assured the public that it won’t be demolished and replaced by hotels or similar structures because of the city’s zoning ordinance tagging the area as an “institutional zone.”

Carlos earlier told media interviews that they are closely coordinating with other government agencies to identify ways to rebuild the Manila Central Post Office to its former glory.

(PM)

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