Fire disrupts operations at LRT Libertad station

MANILA, Philippines - Operations at the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 remained disrupted as the predawn fire that started in a plaza has already crept toward a cluster of business establishments in Pasay City, GMA Flash Report said Thursday. The television report said the Pasay City-bound LRT coaches from Monumento in Caloocan City were only being allowed to travel until the Gil Puyat station in Makati City, while the station beyond that - Libertad station - has already been closed off to the public. The report also said that the blaze, which erupted inside the Pure Gold Supermarket at about 2 a.m., has already spread over to a still undetermined number of neighboring buildings. In a related development, a separate radio report quoted fire officials as saying that several firefighters have emerged hurt after almost suffocating while trying to douse the blaze. Operatives from the Pasay City police had already been deployed in the area to augment security around the burning establishments, the radio report added. The report said that a number of nearby establishment opted not to open up for the day. Earlier reports indicated the fire started at the second floor of the building. The smoke was so thick only firefighters and volunteers with breathing apparatus were allowed to enter. A volunteer member of the rescue team, Richwell de Vera, had lost consciousness after suffocating due to the smoke earlier in the fire incident. He was later declared in stable condition. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV