A fire broke out Wednesday afternoon at the Department of Public Works and Highways–Cordillera Administrative Region office in Baguio City, originating from the Financial Management Records Room, fire officials said.
Baguio City Fire Marshal Mark Anthony Dangatan said the fire was reported at 5:25 p.m. after smoke was seen coming from the records room by a utility worker serving as the first responder. The worker immediately alerted security personnel and drivers inside the building.
Dangatan said the utility worker and several employees attempted to control the fire using multiple 10-pound fire extinguishers while waiting for firefighters to arrive. Personnel from the Baguio City Fire Station later took over fire suppression operations.
Based on the initial report of the Bureau of Fire Protection, the fire affected an estimated one to two square meters of office space. The blaze was declared under control at 5:36 p.m. and fully extinguished at 5:43 p.m.
No injuries or casualties were reported among DPWH employees or responders.
In a report submitted to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chaired by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Dangatan confirmed that the fire was confined to the Financial Management Records Room and did not spread to other areas of the building.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and remains under investigation.
