The fire started in an area under construction.
The restored Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET) was struck by fire this morning. According to Inquirer, the Bureau of Fire Protection reported the fire reached the second alarm (increases the possible danger from a first alarm fire) at 9 AM.
By 9:42 AM, the Bureau of Fire Protection confirmed that responding firefighters had put it out.
The Metropolitan Theater, the oldest existing performance center in the country, was restored and reopened last October. It’s a National Historic Landmark, as declared in 1973 by the former National Historical Institute (now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines).
READ ALSO: LA Insider: Solenn Heussaff Is Resplendent In A Fashion Spread Shot At The Metropolitan Theater
LOOK: Firefighters extinguish a second alarm fire at the newly renovated Manila Metropolitan Theater on Friday morning, June 17. Fire out was declared after an hour. Rappler photoshttps://t.co/m73rSIMtXR pic.twitter.com/qRh46Xxi8p
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) June 17, 2022
Known for its Art Deco style, designed by architect Juan Arellano, who also created the Manila Central Post Office Building (1926) and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (1934).
In an official statement posted on Facebook, the MET announced the fire started on the first floor of Padre Burgos Wing, an area currently under construction.
Thankfully, they added that no one was harmed, and no damaged property was reported, except for rotting material from past exhibitions.
“We are grateful to all who helped, from the Fire Protection Staff to the volunteer firefighters and the City Government of Manila, for the immediate response,” the MET wrote in Filipino.
“We also thank all those who expressed solidarity on social media. This strengthens our passion for serving more to revive our Town Hall again.”
Banner image by MARK NICDAO for Lifestyle Asia.
