'Car battery sparked MCPO fire'-BFP
By J.Lo
"We welcomed result of investigation from BFP to know exactly what really happened. ..we will now move on and concentrate primarily on recovery and rehabilitation of iconic building," Postmaster General Luis Carlos said Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has completed its investigation of fire that gutted Philippine Postal Corp.'s Manila Central Post Office (MCPO) last May 21, ruling that blaze was accidental in nature, PHLPost said on Monday.
In statement, PHLPost was able to obtain fire clearance certificate issued by BFP, states fire originated from southern part of basement, specifically at Mega Manila Storage Room where office supplies, thinners and paint cans were piled in close proximity to car batteries stored in the room.
BFP stated combustibility of room's contents and enclosed set-up greatly influenced heat build-up, explosion and subsequent conflagration.
As to cause of more than 30-hour fire, PHLPost said BFP established based on pieces of evidence gathered, statement of witness and result of laboratory examinations, fire was caused by sudden self-discharge of car battery resulting in thermal run-away, triggering sudden build-up of heat and pressure led to an explosion.
Presence of an internal short-circuit, hydrogen and volatile gases contained in battery and presence of oxygen as oxidizing agent initiated ignition, BFP said.
Contributory factors and combustibility of materials fueled and sustained ignition sequence, according to BFP.
Iiconic 97-year-old MCPO in Lawton, with its neoclassical architectural design, was declared as important cultural property by National Museum.
Built in 1926, MCPO was designed by Filipino architects Juan Arellano and Tomas Mapua. It was damaged during World War II in Battle of Manila and was restored in 1946, right after war.
Senate has formed special committee that would oversee rehabilitation of Manila Central Post Office..
Voting unanimously on last day of first regular session senators adopted resolution creating special panel that will assess reconstruction of historic building.
Committee will be tasked to look into extent of fire's damage as well as study estimated cost of central post office's restoration.
"Actions must be taken for immediate rehabilitation of post office building," resolution read.
Special committee is composed of Senate President Pro-Tempore Loren Legarda, Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, Senators Pia Cayetano, Nancy Binay and Sonny Angara.
As chairperson of Senate committee on culture and arts, Legarda sponsored resolution to study, review, assess, examine and inquire into various aspects relating to reconstruction of iconic landmark in Manila.
Legarda noted fire struck Manila Central Post Office occurred during observance of National Heritage Month, adding "this important cultural heritage holds immeasurable value, and its destruction is profound loss for Filipinos."
According to BFP report, fire destroyed at least P300 million worth of property, including national IDs stored in post office building.
Manila Central Post Office was built in 1926 using neoclassical design by renowned architects Tomas Mapua, Juan Marcos Arellano and Ralph Doane to house headquarters of then Bureau of Posts.
After being damaged during Battle of Manila in 1945, building was rehabilitated in 1946 and became center of Philippine postal services.
In 2018, National Museum declared Manila Central Post Office important cultural property.
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