Fire Traps Dozens Inside Philippines Mall

MANILA — Firefighters were unable to enter a burning shopping mall in the Philippines on Sunday, more than a day after an enormous blaze tore through the building and trapped dozens of people inside.

At least 37 people were unable to escape from the mall in the southern city of Davao City after the fire started Saturday morning, and “their chances of survival is zero,” said Paolo Duterte, the vice mayor.

“Our firemen are still struggling to find a way in as the fire is still burning,” Mr. Duterte said.

Mr. Duterte’s father, President Rodrigo Duterte, visited the mall Saturday night and met with family members of those inside. Photographs released by his office showed the president consoling relatives and wiping tears from his eyes.

The president “assured the relatives of the victims that the government would extend help,” said Harry Roque, the president’s spokesman.

The blaze began Saturday morning. Twenty-four hours later the fire continued to burn, making it too dangerous for firefighters to enter the building.CreditAshley Nicole Avila Rafaela, via REUTERS

The elder Mr. Duterte was formerly mayor of Davao City. He was in town on Saturday for the holidays.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Officials said the blaze started Saturday morning near a furniture store on the building’s third floor. More than 24 hours later, the building remained on fire and was too dangerous to enter, the authorities said.

The fire started as many locals were doing their Christmas shopping, and as employees inside the building were wrapping up their workweek before the holiday. Officials said many of the people trapped inside worked at a call center inside the mall.

“We are currently coordinating with the authorities,” said Thea Septaan Padua, a spokeswoman for the mall, adding that for now, no deaths had been confirmed.

The fire occurred as city officials and emergency relief workers were busy responding to victims of flash floods elsewhere in the region. More than 100 people were killed in the flooding.

The authorities have been on heightened alert amid fears that Islamist militants could target shopping malls and other public areas. In September, when the president was visiting Davao, militants who claimed allegiance to the Islamic State bombed a night market in the city, killing 15 people.

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