The Manila Central Post Office, one of many Philippine capital’s most historic buildings, was all however destroyed by hearth in a single day, officers stated on Monday morning.

The shell of the neo-Classical-style construction, which was in-built 1926, was nonetheless standing. But Postmaster General Luis Carlos stated the constructing had been fully gutted, “from the basement to the ground floor all the way up to the fifth floor.”

“The structure is still there, but its ceiling has fallen down,” Mr. Carlos instructed reporters.

Fire officers stated they had been making an attempt to find out the reason for the blaze, which started within the basement on Sunday night time. At least one individual was harm within the hearth, investigators stated.

The publish workplace, located alongside the Pasig River close to Manila Bay, is likely one of the metropolis’s most recognizable landmarks. Designed by two Filipino architects, Juan Arellano and Tomás Mapúa, it was partly destroyed through the Battle of Manila in World War II however was restored in 1946.

The facility was the principle hub for mail distribution within the capital. Mr. Carlos stated it was unclear what number of parcels and letters had been misplaced. Among the numerous objects presumed to have been destroyed within the hearth had been beneficial artworks that had been being copied for stamps, Mr. Carlos stated.

A historian, Manuel L. Quezon III, whose namesake grandfather was the Philippines’ president in exile when Japan occupied the nation throughout World War II, stated the fireplace was solely the newest blow to Manila’s architectural heritage. He stated many buildings that survived the struggle had not been correctly restored.

Mr. Quezon urged that the publish workplace’s shell may very well be preserved and used to accommodate an extension of the National Museum of the Philippines.

“The post office has been a white elephant for decades,” he stated. “But its sturdy shell can be rescued and rebuilt for the National Museum.”