Fire destroys two buildings in Iloilo City's Chinatown

A late-night fire that lasted over nine hours destroyed two three-story buildings in Iloilo City's heritage zone on Friday night.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that the fire caused PHP8.085 million in damage and affected a total area of 1,078 square meters in Chinatown on Iznart Street, Barangay Magsaysay.

Arson investigator FO2 John Paquito Verano said the fire started at Emerald Finance Corporation on the second floor of the Divinagracia building and contained highly flammable materials.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas instructed the Office of the Building Official (OBO) to work with the BFP to investigate the cause of the fire and inspect electrical connections in heritage buildings.

Treñas, who authored Republic Act 10555 declaring Iloilo City's cultural heritage tourism zone, emphasized that these structures are 'jewels' of the city and called for immediate inspections to preserve them.