Star City fire

A fire at Star City, an amusement park in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, occurred at midnight on October 2, 2019. Initial investigation determined the cause as arson, citing traces of gasoline detected in the remains of the building. In December 2019, however, the cause was confirmed as electrical fire which originated from a game booth located at Star City's ground floor.[1] Although there were no reported casualties, 80 percent of the establishment was confirmed to have been damaged by the fire, the cost of which estimated at around ₱1 billion (US$19.3 million). The management of Star City announced that it would engage in a year-long rehabilitation effort before reopening the amusement park.

Star City fire

Date	October 2, 2019 (2019-10-02)
Duration	14 hours
Venue	Star City and Manila Broadcasting Company building
Location	Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
Type	Fire
Cause	Electrical fire[1]
Outcome	80 percent of Star City burned
Deaths	None
Property damage	~₱1 billion (US$19.3 million)

Background

The fire started at 12:22 a.m (UTC+8) when the amusement park had closed after its operation the previous day. The fire then spread two hours later, prompting the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to raise the alarm status to Task Force Bravo that sent 19 fire trucks to the site. The adjacent Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) building was also affected by the fire.[2] The fire, which lasted 14 hours, was put under control at 4:32 a.m.,[3] and was declared "fire out" at 2:02 p.m.;[4] at least 70 fire trucks responded to the incident.[2] There were no reported casualties.[2]

Investigation

The BFP assembled a team of investigators to probe on the cause and extent of the fire.[5] Their initial investigation cited an electrical fault and arson as possible causes, which were believed to have started in the stockroom where inflammable materials such as stuffed toys were kept.[2][6][7] Different parts of the amusement park were also noted to have been set ablaze simultaneously.[7] The arson angle was brought to light after authorities suspected that the fire may have been perpetrated by disgruntled employees.[7] It was also initially linked to a tweet, which stated "Star City is dying", written before the fire. It was later revealed that the tweet's poster, a 12-year-old boy, was in fact referring to the fictional Star City by DC Comics. The management would rule out the tweet's connection to the fire later on.[2]

On October 6, 2019, authorities determined the cause as arson after traces of gasoline were detected "in an area where it should not be".[8][9] Additional factors that suggested arson were the detected char pattern and irregular bend of metals, as well as the fire spreading to two directions: toward the entrance of Star City and the MBC building.[10] Star City officials, including a tenant and his personnel, have become the subject of investigation. According to a local fire marshal, the tenant and his unlogged personnel were spotted entering the premises with sacks of cotton on the day of the fire.[8][9] The management, however, denied the arson claim, believing the fire to be unintentional, and criticized the fire officials' findings as "irresponsible".[6][8] The management explained that the gasoline was brought in to fuel their bumper boats, and that the tenant's action was a standard procedure as cotton was used as stuffing for the plush toys offered as prizes in some of the games. It also denied the alleged criminal motive of the employees, explaining that the business was lucrative especially during the Christmas season.[8] Despite its protests, however, the management has vowed to cooperate in the probe.[8]

On December 27, 2019, the BFP spokesman identified the cause as electrical fire due to overheating of one of the light ballasts from a game booth located at Star City's ground floor.[1]

Aftermath

Around 80 percent of Star City was destroyed by the fire.[6] The management estimates that the fire caused ₱1 billion (US$19.3 million) worth of damage, while the BFP provisionally pegs their own estimate at ₱15 million (US$290,000).[11] Twenty-five rides and attractions were reported to have been destroyed, including the Gabi ng Lagim (transl. Night of Terror), Dungeon of Terror, Bump Car Smash, Snow World, and Star Theater.[5][3] Attractions outside the complex were intact, however, including Star City's proprietary Star Flyer roller coaster and the Giant Star Wheel. The facade of the MBC building, the entrance area of Star City, and the seats and stage of the Aliw Theater also survived the fire.[2][12]

The management announced that it would engage in a year-long rehabilitation effort, including the importation of new rides and the reconstruction of the park, until Star City is re-opened by October 2020;[2] however, there were plans to partially re-open within 2019 depending on the assessment on the damage caused.[6] The MBC, which runs the AM station DZRH and the FM stations Love Radio, Yes The Best, Easy Rock and Radyo Natin,[13] was able to resume operations using its secondary facilities at the BSA Twin Towers in Mandaluyong for its FM stations, and in Valenzuela and Bulacan for its AM stations.[14]

The venues for Ballet Manila's scheduled performance of Giselle were moved, from the Aliw and Star Theaters to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex.[15] The MBC's National Choral Competitions, which were to take place at the Star Theater by December 2019, were also cancelled.[16]

Martin Andanar, Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, has urged government agencies to provide assistance to both Star City employees and the Manila Broadcasting Company. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, on behalf of the national government, expressed grief over the incident.[17] The Department of Labor and Employment, under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD; transl. Aid to the Livelihood of Our Disdavantaged/Displaced Workers) program, allocated ₱5.5 million (US$106,139) emergency assistance for 500 employees who were affected by the fire.[18]

References

1. Pedrajas, Joseph Almer (27 December 2019). "BFP rules out arson in Star City fire". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
2. Cabalza, Dexter (3 October 2019). "Star City fire leaves P 1B worth of damage". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
3. Murcia, Alivn (3 October 2019). "Probers eye arson in Star City fire". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
4. "Fire guts Star City complex in Pasay City". Rappler. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
5. Andal, Jonathan (3 October 2019). "BFP forms team to probe Star City fire". GMA News. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
6. "Star City fire causes P1 billion in damage; management says to try to reopen this year". ABS-CBN News. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
7. Zurbano, Joel (3 October 2019). "Arson eyed in DZRH-Star City blaze". Manila Standard. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
8. "Fire official says arson caused Star City fire". Philstar.com. October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
9. "Star City deliberately set on fire, authorities say". ABS-CBN News. October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
10. Tuquero, Loreben. "Char pattern hints arson as possible cause of Star City fire". Rappler. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
11. Ornedo, Julia Mari (2 October 2019). "Star City management pegs fire damage at P1B". GMA News. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
12. Andal, Jonathan. "Aliw Theater, nanatiling buo" [Aliw Theater remains intact]. Facebook (in Filipino). GMA News. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
13. Peralta-Malonzo, Third Anne (2 October 2019). "Fire-hit Star City is now temporarily closed because of major fire cause by arson and will be ceased to its riding and continue to rides at EK (Enchanted Kingdom) in Laguna and Skyranch in Cavite, Pampanga and Cebu". Sun Star. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
14. "MBC uses back-up facilities to 'minimize interruption' after Star City fire". ABS-CBN News. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
15. "Star City fire disrupts ballet performances, choir festival". BusinessWorld. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
16. Pedrajas, Joseph Almer (4 October 2019). "MBC cancels this year's national choral competitions 0". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
17. Parrocha, Azer (2 October 2019). "PCOO chief urges gov't agencies to aid Star City, MBC personnel". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
18. Aquino, Leslie (4 October 2019). "DOLE allots P5.5-million emergency assistance for displaced Star City complex personnel". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 4 October 2019.