Fire destroys two heritage buildings in Iloilo City

A nine-hour fire destroyed two heritage buildings within the Cultural Heritage Tourism Zone in downtown Iloilo City on Friday night.

The fire, which began at 11:46 p.m., affected the Divinagracia and Celso Ledesma buildings and was extinguished by 8:25 a.m. on Saturday.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas emphasized that these structures date back to the American and post-World War II periods and are protected under Republic Act No. 10555.

Mayor Treñas instructed the city government's Office of the Building Official (OBO) to inspect electrical connections in all heritage buildings along the downtown area.

The mayor also plans to seek assistance from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for preserving these heritage structures, expressing hope that they will help in the preservation efforts.