Fire hits Senate building

THE fire that broke out at the Senate building in Pasay City on Sunday morning has been placed under control by the local fire bureau, the Senate chief said noting documents were “completely unaffected.”

“Firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) immediately responded and declared the incident fire under control at 7:43 a.m.,” Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said in a statement.

A fire broke out on the third floor of the Senate building at 6:30 a.m., the blaze had affected the office of the Legislative Technical Affairs Bureau.

“Authorities are currently determining the cause of the fire and assessing the extent of the damage,” Mr. Sotto added.

The Senate chief said that all pertinent Senate documents — including those of the Blue Ribbon Committee — remain “intact, safe, and completely unaffected by the fire.”

He added that water used by the firefighters to suppress the blaze resulted in leakage into the chamber’s Sessional Hall.

“The Senate’s maintenance team will be working round the clock to dry and restore the Session Hall to ensure it is fully ready for Monday’s session,” Mr. Sotto said.

He added that the Senate will work closely with the BFP and internal security to avoid further incidents happening. — Adrian H. Halili