Fire shutters Star City
MOST Filipino children dream of going to Star City, Metro Manila’s most popular amusement park. But this happy place was closed starting on Wednesday after it was hit by fire.
Initial investigation showed the blaze started in the stockroom at around 12:30 a.m. The fire was put out at 2 p.m.
Pasay Fire Marshall Supt. Paul Pili said some 70 fire trucks from Metro Manila and fire volunteers helped control the fire that destroyed 80 percent of the establishment.
Pili said investigators are looking at arson or faulty electrical wiring as the cause of blaze. No one died, but some responders were injured.
Star City officials said the amusement park located in Pasay City will be closed until the Christmas season.
The park has 38 rides and amusement games.
“Unfortunately, we cannot open for the season for reconstruction will take probably another year,” said Star City and Manila Broadcasting Co. spokesman Rudolf Jularbal.
The fire also affected the offices of MBC, which owns dzRH and Love Radio.
In a statement, MBC said it was coordinating with authorities to determine the cause of fire.
“Despite the catastrophe, MBC FM stations Love Radio, Yes the Best, and Easy Rock will continue its regular broadcasting operations,” it said.
DZRH is expected to go back on- air within 48 hours or less.
Posts of shock and sadness flooded social media on Wednesday.
“It’s sad to hear about what happened to Star City. I have so many memories there. Hopefully, it will be up and running again soon, and people affected will be compensated,” said @ ashley31garcia on Twitter
“Happy that we were able to experience Star City before it burned down at the same time, I’m sad because there will be a lot of people who will lose their jobs. # starcity,” said @ vanedicated on Twitter.
“Everybody! Lets put our hands together lets pray for Star City! They need our prayers! Thanks for completing our childhood Star City # PRAYFORSTARCITY,” said @ itsizacian on Twitter.
Malacañang on Wednesday called on
concerned government agencies to provide assistance to the victims of the fire.
Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Malacañang was “saddened” by the fire incident that ripped through Star City, causing damage not only to the amusement park but also to the facility of MBC.
“As we near Christmas, this is truly sad news knowing that Star City is a place where Filipino families visit to celebrate the Yuletide season. To our friends in the media who are affected, we wish to let them know that we are one with them in this tragic incident,” Panelo said.
“We call on government instrumentalities to extend any form of assistance to those hit by the blaze,” he added.