MANILA, Philippines – More than just a canteen, the UP College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association (CASAA) Food Center served as a second home to many students, alumni, and employees at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

This is according to netizens who expressed their sadness over the fire that hit CASAA, an iconic food center within the state university. Using #CASAAmemories on Twitter, they recounted how the food center became their go-to place for eating affordable meals in the campus. 

“CASAA” trended on Twitter in the Philippines as netizens shared their memories spent at the decades-old food center. More than losing a place where they could eat, netizens also expressed their concern for employees at the food center who could lose their jobs over the incident.  

Masakit. Parang 2nd bahay mo na ang CASAA. Daming kuwento, cramming, drama, sikreto, nabuong pag-ibig, pusong nawasak sa CASAA #weloveCASAA

— Eloi Hernandez (@badassprof) June 13, 2015

Hoy sa CASAA kaya ako unang nag-lunch. At tambayan sya ng mga freshie na galing Xavier. Hahaha

— Peter Paredes (@peteroscope) June 13, 2015

Para sa iilan, canteen lang kung maituturing ang CASAA. Pero sa mga taga-UP Diliman, isa itong mahalagang parte ng buhay UP. #CASAA

— Ron Reyes (@ronranierreyes) June 13, 2015

Please don’t say it’s “just a canteen” kasi you have no idea how important CASAA is for UP Diliman students.

— Jodesz Gavilan (@jodeszgavilan) June 13, 2015

Jam ko nung freshman year ‘yung fish fillet in bechamel sauce na binebenta sa CASAA. Now, iz gone. #CASAAMemories

— Max Custodio (@CubanoChaos) June 13, 2015

CASAA, hope you rise from the ashes like a proud phoenix… :'( http://t.co/5ctQCujIWo

— UPD Library (@UPDLibrary) June 13, 2015

Noong 2012, may 4.5 hours akong break every Th. Diretso ako #CASAA noon para kumain at magpalipas oras. 🙁

— Kyel (@kyelevelup) June 13, 2015

Another reason?

According to Vice Chancellor of Community Affairs Nestor Castro, two were injured from the fire. The area will be cordoned off while authorities further investigate the incident.  

Some UP students also speculated on the possibility that the fire was not an accident. 

In December 2014, UP CASAA faced a rumored shutdown following “transition changes” in the food center management. 

wow something smells fishy in CASAA, amoy arson… amoy hanggang dito sa bahay ko.

— GillianVelarde (@Ayluuh) June 13, 2015

Bakit feeling ko sinunog ang CASAA?

— cj almazan (@Official_CjA) June 13, 2015

CASAA on fire. http://t.co/66M3OvQWzt via @wordpressdotcom I feel like this was intentional since UP was planning to close it. :/

— Melizza Neri (ZICO)ღ (@melizza_neri) June 13, 2015

How timely of CASAA burning down. Makes me think that this is no accident. This is a therapeutic chain of events.

— Jacob (@sparTANderbolt) June 13, 2015

deliberate yata to. parang pag gusto nang paalisin ng private corporations ang mga illegal settlers sa lupa nila, nagkakasunog. ooops CASAA

— Carolina Delevingne (@carrotsherrera) June 13, 2015

Castro, however, said that the initial investigation shows that the cause of the fire is gas tank-related. 

“The UP Diliman Police is spearheading the investigation of the incident.  The canteen has been cordoned off so that no one will get injured as the roof of the canteen may collapse,” Castro added.  – Rappler.com