P5.2-M in properties damaged in condo fire

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A fire broke out yesterday in a 14-story residential tower owned by Megaworld which is under construction at the Upper East in Barangay 41 here, leaving an estimated P5.2 million in damages to properties.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod, they received a fire call around 11:54 a.m.

The blaze partially damaged the third and fifth floors of the condominium situated on the corner of Regis and Madison Streets within the 34-hectare township of Upper East Megaworld.

Fire Chief Inspector Stephen Jardeleza, city fire marshal, said that firefighters saw construction materials on these floors and other combustible objects.

Jardeleza said the fire was raised to third alarm. But, arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

Fire out was declared at 12:34 p.m. No injuries were reported. He thanked the fire volunteers for augmenting the BFP in responding to the fire call.

In a statement, Harold Geronimo, Megaworld vice president of Public Relations and Media Affairs, said they are closely coordinating with the contractor that is handling the construction site.

He said that the building was not yet occupied and only workers were there doing the construction work.

MRK Construction, contractor of the said residential tower, in a separate statement, said the building is still under the responsibility of their company, and that they are closely coordinating with the developer Megaworld, as well as with the local fire authorities as to what caused the fire.

We will cooperate in the investigation of this incident, the construction firm said.

This incident happened barely two months after a fire also hit three makeshift warehouses at the Upper East Megaworld on December 13, 2023, affecting the temporary warehouse and office facility of their contractors. It left an estimated P14 million worth of damage to properties.