Flames roared through the Philippines' historic main post office building, destroying the nearly 100 years old neoclassical landmark in its bustling capital city, Manila.
The massive fire reduced the architectural gem that stood tall for nearly a century to nothing but smoking ruins.
The Philippines' Post Office Building Fire
Firefighters carry equipment after a fire broke out at the Post Office building in Manila on May 22, 2023.
According to The Straits Times, the Bureau of Fire Protection confirmed that nearly 100 fire trucks, which includes fire volunteers, braved the massive blaze that engulfed the historic Central Post Office building in Manila.
For several hours, the overwhelming number of firefighters bravely battled the massive inferno, which quickly tore apart the decades-old landmark. After several hours, the firefighters declared the blaze under control on Monday morning.
As per ABC News, the seven-hour-long fire, accompanied by thick gray smoke, left minor injuries to at least seven people, most of them fire responders. The Postmaster-General and CEO of the Post Office, Luis Carlos, told a local radio news station that the destructive flames burned the entire neoclassical structure.
He says, "The whole building has burned from the basement all the way to the fifth floor," as he spoke with DZBB radio. Carlos reiterates in the radio interview that 100 percent of the Post Office in Manila was "totally burned."
The Manila Fire Station says the massive fire started in the basement of the neoclassic landmark at around 11:00 pm local time on May 21, Sunday, CNN Philippines reports. After several hours, it reached the highest fire alarm level, called the "general alarm," at around 6:00 am, May 22, Monday.
An hour later, the firefighters declared the blaze under control at 7:00 am. Yet, the responders were still valiantly extinguishing the flames, which tore apart the historic structure.
The cause of the fire is still being determined. However, Carlos shares that the fire spread immediately due to wood, which prevalently makes up the decades-old building.
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Manila Central Post Office Building: A Decades-Old Landmark
Firefighters douse a fire at the Post Office building in Manila on May 22, 2023.
The burned structure, formally known as the Manila Central Post Office Building, was originally built way back in 1926 amid the Spanish colonial era. During its early years, it was home to horse-riding mail delivery folks. It is notably recognized during its heydays as the "grandest building" in the busy city.
Years later, World War II tore down the neoclassical structure but was rebuilt in 1946, marking its comeback after the destructive war.
The National Museum of the Philippines recently recognized the significance of the decades-old neoclassic building, declaring it as an "important cultural property" in 2018.
The devastating destruction not only tore apart a historic landmark in bustling Manila. It also disrupted the mail services in the capital city and nearby provinces, the Postmaster-General emphasized.
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