Fire destroys Philippine capital’s Main Post Office, a neoclassical landmark nearly 100 years old

Manila, Philippines — A massive fire engulfed the historic post office in Manila overnight, slightly injuring one person and leveling the nearly 100-year-old monument in the Philippine capital, police and postal authorities said Monday.

The fire broke out before midnight in the basement of the five-storey neoclassical building and was brought under control Monday morning more than seven hours after it started, firefighters said.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire and what was damaged, officials said.

The Manila Central Post Office was one of the capital’s busiest office buildings, but was closed when the fire broke out. The building was the country’s main mail sorting and distribution center and was the central office of the Philippine Postal Corporation.

The postal service in the Philippines began during the Spanish colonial period with horse-drawn couriers.

The building now recognized as a national monument was built in 1926 with tall columns in the traditional neo-classical style. It was badly damaged during World War II and was rebuilt in 1946.

It is located along the Pasig River and at a major intersection of major capital roads.