Fire rages at UP Diliman

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – A fire that raged along Magsaysay St at the University of the Philippines campus was declared under control at 12:35 am on Wednesday, July 1, according to responding firefighters quoted on social media. 

A tweet posted earlier by the UP Journalism Club said that fire trucks had arrived outside the UP Alumni Center, where the blaze is reportedly focused. The Alumni Center, also known as Fonacier Hall, houses the campus’ bowling alleys.

In a Facebook post, UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan confirmed that “no one was injured but athletes being housed at the Alumni Center had to be evacuated and housed at Kalayaan Residence Hall and with various alumni families who generously offered their homes.”

Tan gave assurances the UPD administration will closely monitor the ongoing investigation into the incident.

BREAKING: A fire has broken out at the UP Alumni Center. Firetrucks have responded and are on the scene.

— UP Journalism Club (@upjournclub) June 30, 2015

FIRE ALERT: Fire at Magsaysay St. U.P Campus, 2nd alram as of 11:37PM. Ten-4 #mmda

— Official MMDA (@MMDA) June 30, 2015

@rapplerdotcom Bowling Area of Alumni Center is on fire. pic.twitter.com/hNCHw3IKCA

— CJ B Landicho (@CJBLandicho) June 30, 2015

UP Alumni Center (Bowling Area) now in flames huhuhu :((( pic.twitter.com/htkMEi8n5U

— Chad Booc (@specialchad) June 30, 2015

@rapplerdotcom Bowling Area of Alumni Center is on fire. pic.twitter.com/hNCHw3IKCA

— CJ B Landicho (@CJBLandicho) June 30, 2015

Fire out at UP Alumni Center as of 12:36 AM, according to Bureau of Fire Protection Chief Jesus Rudy Fernandez.

— UP Journalism Club (@upjournclub) June 30, 2015

Fire out at 12:35, from firefighters who responded to the fire. #UPFire #BowlingAlleyFire

— nicom laude (@dat_morenokid) June 30, 2015

According to BFP Chief Fernandez, a short circuit might have caused the fire.

— UP Journalism Club (@upjournclub) June 30, 2015

Dir. of Alumni Relations Prof. Wendell Capili said only the bowling lines and half of the alum. canteen were damaged. pic.twitter.com/ElR3ckfeZq

— UP Journalism Club (@upjournclub) June 30, 2015

A 12:42 am posting by a UP alumni group said the fire reached the UP Alumni Hostel, after it started at the bowling alley canteen. The writer appealed for assistance for the roughly 50 athletes displaced by the blaze. 

“Most didn’t have time to get their belongings. Some don’t even have shirts on their backs. Please coordinate through this post however you can extend assistance to our players. Thank you very much in advance and may God help us.”

A post by student Chad Errol Booc said that the duckpin bowling alleys were destroyed in the fire.

This is the second instance of a fire hitting the campus in a month, after a fire razed the iconic UP CASAA food center in mid June.  – Rappler.com