Huge Fire Destroys Historic Philippine Post Office Building

Late on Sunday night, a massive fire broke out at the famed Manila Central Post Office in the nation’s capital. To put out the fire, teams of firefighters battled the blaze for more than seven hours through the night before it was ultimately put out.

After the fire started, more than 80 fire vehicles were dispatched to the historic site, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection.

As flames tore through the Pasig River-facing neo-classical Manila Central Post Office, thick, black smoke rose hundreds of meters into the sky.

According to Postmaster General Luis Carlos, “The entire building has burned down from the basement all the way to the fifth floor.”

He claimed that the cause of the fire was being looked into.

Read Also: At Least Six People Died In A Fire At A Hostel In New Zealand

One volunteer fireman suffered minor injuries while battling the flames, which were being fought by fire departments from all around the capital. According to its website, the post office was initially constructed in 1926 and was formerly regarded as the “grandest building” in Manila.

In 1946, it was reconstructed after being completely devastated during World War II as US forces retook the capital from Japanese occupiers.

2018 saw the building designated as an “important cultural property” by the Philippine National Museum.

According to Carlos, the structure contained mail, packages, and the postal service’s entire stamp collection, all of which were likely destroyed.