The fire that razed the iconic Manila Central Post Office on May 21 was caused by the explosion of a car battery inside a storage room where it was piled together with office supplies, thinners, and paint cans.
***National Post Office Building (Noel Pabalate)***
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) made the revelation as it concluded the investigation on the incident.
The BFP said that the blaze originated at the Mega Manila Storage Room located in the southern part of the establishment’s basement “where office supplies, thinners, and paint cans were piled in close proximity to car batteries.”
The cause of fire was attributed by the BFP to a “sudden self-discharge of car battery (sulfation) resulting to thermal run-away” which caused a “sudden build-up of heat and pressure,” and eventually an explosion.
The BFP, however, clarified that the incident was “accidental in nature” as it declared the case as solved and closed.
The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) welcomed BFP’s conclusion of its investigation on the incident.
In a statement on Monday night, June 5, PHLPost Postmaster General Luis Carlos said the next step for them is to rehabilitate the establishment.
The Manila Central Post Office, or commonly known as the Post Office Building, was hit by fire around 11 p.m. last May 21. The fire lasted for more than 30 hours before it was put out around 6 a.m. on May 23.
It was built in 1926 and was heavily damaged at the Battle of Manila during the World War II in 1945, and was restored the following year.