After a monthlong investigation conducted by an interagency anti-arson task force, it was officially announced that arson isn’t the reason behind the fire that caused the destruction of Star City in Pasay.
The cause of the October 2 fire is electrical in nature, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) spokesperson Gerradie Agonos. The blaze that razed the theme park was due to a light ballast that overheated, the task force’s final report said.
This discovery was a turnaround from Pasay City fire marshal Supt. Paul Pili’s earlier assessment that the fire was intended.
The BFP released a fire clearance certificate stating that the incident was not caused by arson, according to a statement from Star Parks Corp., the company that manages the theme park.
“Investigators concluded that the fire, which originated from the ‘Try Your Luck’ game booth located at the ground floor of Star City, was due to the overheating of one of the ballasts that was attached to a fluorescent light above the booth,” it detailed. “Investigators also found out that the ballast malfunction was due to normal wear and tear or deterioration which prompted the BFP to conclude that the fire was accidental and to declare the case closed,” it said.
Anything to add to this story? Share your thoughts with us.
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad!
