Fire razes UP Diliman’s chemistry building

(Update 2 - 2:18 am) A fire of undetermined origin razed the Palma Hall Pavilion II of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, which houses the university’s chemistry laboratories, close to midnight Wednesday. Firefighters said the blaze erupted around 11 p.m. and a fifth alarm was raised around midnight. The fire at the Chemistry Pavilion was contained around 1 a.m., but meanwhile spread to the adjoining Physics Pavilion which firefighters are still trying to put out as of posting time. A message posted on the Facebook wall of UP faculty regent Dr. Judy Taguiwalo at 2:10 a.m. said that according to an eyewitness, Pavilion II's second floor sustained damage, but Pavilion I and Palma Hall's main building "are okay." Investigators have yet to determine the origin of the fire. Authorities are likewise still unable to search the area for any casualty, but nearby residents doubt if anyone was inside the three-storey building. Quezon City fire marshall Senior Superintendent Bobby Baruela said people were last seen in the building at about 9 p.m. The Palma Hall Pavilion II houses the UP Institute of Chemistry, where the organic chemistry and biochemistry laboratories are maintained. Firefighters wearing gas masks are still having a hard time entering the burning building as of this posting due to the chemical fumes triggered by the fire. "Ang kemikal, hindi napapatay ng tubig kaya ginagamitan namin ng kemikal [foam] (Water can't put out chemical fires so we had to use chemical foam)," Baruela explained. He also said the fire protection agency is also checking if fire safety requirements were followed when the building was constructed. UP College of Science Secretary Evangeline Amor said it was the first time that fire hit the building in recent years. The fire happened a day after school opened at the UP Diliman, and Amor said she still has yet to see how the incident would affect school operations. Dr. Cynthia Grace Gregorio, UP vice chancellor for community affairs, meanwhile said that classes for Thursday at the Palma Hall, as well as Pavilions 1, 2, 3, and 4 are all suspended. “(UP) Diliman officials are in control, especially Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Cynthia Grace Gregorio," said UP Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Jose Wendell Capili in a message posted on his Facebook account. A student who rushed to the site told GMANews.TV, "I've never seen as many firetrucks in my life."- MDM/JMA/JV, GMANews.TV