Fire out declared at Manila Central Post Office more than 30 hours after the blaze broke out

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 23) — Authorities on Tuesday declared fire out at the Manila Central Post Office more than 30 hours after the blaze broke out late Sunday evening.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the fire was out at 6:33 a.m. It started past 11 p.m. Sunday in the post office’s basement.

Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, Philippine Postal Corporation Postmaster General Luis Carlos said the blaze started at the southside of the building. He added he is still waiting for the BFP’s report on what caused the incident.

BFP-National Capital Region Director Chief Superintendent Nahum Tarroza on Monday said the historic building was “totally burned” as the materials that made up the structure easily caught fire.

The fire also destroyed national IDs.

Authorities said 15 people were hurt, including 11 members of the BFP, one volunteer, and one civilian.

The cost of damage was initially pegged at ₱300 million.

Carlos said the post office has around 700 employees. Some are currently reporting for work at the Delpan Mail Distribution Center in Manila, and in the Phlpost's central mail exchange center in Pasay.