BAGUIO CITY — Debris collected from the burned section of the Financial Management Records Section of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cordillera has been sent to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) national headquarters for laboratory analysis.
BFP-Baguio information officer Senior Fire Officer 1 Lloyd Furigay said the investigation has been elevated to the national level, with local authorities still unable to determine the official cause and origin of the fire.
Preliminary findings showed the blaze was confined to the records section, affecting an area of about one square meter. Burned materials consisted solely of documents and paper records.
Furigay also clarified that no Christmas decorations were involved, contrary to earlier reports, since the area was used only for document storage.
The BFP has not provided a timeline for the completion of the laboratory examination. Furigay said they cannot confirm when results will be released, meaning the incident remains under investigation.
Following the fire, the BFP advised the public to strictly observe fire safety protocols, especially during the dry season.
The DPWH Cordillera records section remains under strict police guard, with access restricted and employees barred from entering.
Reports said the directive was issued by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to preserve the integrity of the scene and remaining documents.