DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 3 January) – An investigation into the cause of the fire at the three-story Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall along Cabantian Road in Buhangin District, this city, on Friday, is still ongoing.

In a statement, Fire Senior Inspector Marie Sendrijas, chief of the public information unit of the Davao City Fire District, said that authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, pending the results of the investigation.

Sendrijas, however, confirmed that the fire originated from the department store on the third floor where furniture, foam mattresses, kitchen utensils, appliances, home decor, and school supplies are being sold. Adjacent to the department store is the cinema.

No one was reported injured or missing from the incident, according to her.

The official said her office received the report about the fire incident at 3:16 p.m. She added the blaze was put out nearly four hours later, at 7:05 p.m.

“As of now, we’re still consolidating the data from the fire incident yesterday. Our investigators will be back in the area. We will send the report asap once the investigating team submits it to us,” she said.

MindaNews asked Sendrijas about the extent of the damage, but she has yet to respond as of 1:42 p.m. Saturday.

In a statement released on Saturday through its Facebook page, the mall management said that all employees, customers, and occupants were safely evacuated immediately after the fire broke out.

“The safety and well-being of our employees, partners, and customers remain our top priority, and extensive measures are being taken to clear the premises. We are working to be ready to serve our valued customers again as soon as possible,” it said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)