Ombudsman orders probe into DPWH Quezon City fire amid flood control anomaly concerns

• The Ombudsman directed the NBI and BFP to investigate the DPWH building fire in Quezon City
• DPWH confirmed that no documents related to flood control anomaly investigations were affected
• The fire reportedly started from a computer explosion inside the Bureau of Research and Standards
• No employees were injured, and officials are assessing the extent of the damage

The Office of the Ombudsman has launched an investigation into the fire that hit a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) building in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Authorities aim to determine whether the incident was accidental or involved foul play, particularly amid ongoing probes into alleged irregularities in the agency’s flood control projects.

In a statement, the Ombudsman said it had ordered “immediate coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to determine the cause of the fire and to establish whether arson or any deliberate act was committed.”

Read also

Bicol University intramurals halted after colored smoke led to suffocation in some students

The DPWH clarified earlier that no documents linked to the flood control anomaly investigations were stored in the Bureau of Research and Standards (BRS) building, which was the one affected by the blaze.

The bureau, according to the agency, is primarily tasked with conducting research, testing materials, and formulating policies related to national infrastructure projects.

Initial findings indicated that the fire began when a computer inside the BRS building reportedly exploded.

Responding firefighters quickly contained the blaze before it could spread to nearby offices.

The DPWH confirmed that no employees were harmed during the incident.

“The department is now conducting a thorough assessment of the damage caused by the fire,” the agency stated.

The incident follows other recent fires in government offices across Metro Manila, prompting renewed calls for stricter safety protocols and improved fire prevention measures in public facilities.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable to one's daily life. These stories are among those that people would be able to learn from every day, and apply them in their own lives. Crimes that happen to ordinary people are also those that many give attention to.

Read also

Brake failure causes 10-vehicle collision in Aklan; 5 injured

In other news, a lawyer was arrested in Quezon City for allegedly duping victims through fake investment offers. She reportedly took ₱140,000 from a couple, promising weekly profits of ₱5,600. Police said she had previously been jailed for a similar case but went into hiding after posting bail. Authorities urge other victims to file complaints to elevate the case to syndicated estafa.

Still in other news, a classroom ceiling at Lapu-Lapu Elementary School in Davao City collapsed during class on October 7, 2025. Approximately 40 Grade 4 students sustained minor injuries but were safely evacuated. The quick execution of the 'duck, cover, and hold' drill by the teacher helped prevent serious harm. School authorities have reported the incident to DepEd and DPWH, and the school has shifted to a blended learning setup.

Source: KAMI.com.gh