FIRE HITS DPWH BUILDING IN QC; OMBUDSMAN ORDERS PROBE

A FIRE on Wednesday broke out at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) compound in Quezon City.

The blaze engulfed the third floor of the government building located at EDSA corner NIA Road, Bgy. Pinyahan in the city.

The fire, which started around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday destroyed the office of the  DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards (BRS), which conducts research, pilot testing and policy development for government infrastructure projects.

Also destroyed by the blaze were the offices of the Materials Testing Division, the Technical Services Division, and the storage room of the Standards Development Division. 

Over 60 fire trucks responded to help contain the blaze.

Initial investigation showed among the burnt items include documents, computers, office tables, and other equipment.

The fire, which reached third alarm, was declared out past 2 p.m.. of the same day.

An investigation is ongoing on what started the blaze.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to conduct an investigation into the incident.

 “The Ombudsman has directed the immediate coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to determine the cause of the fire and to establish whether arson or any deliberate act was committed,” the office said in a statement.