Wake-Up Call: Fire at Chi Atienza’s Office Revives Manila City Hall Rehab Plans

September 2, 2026

By Len Transporte

A fire that broke out at the Manila Vice Mayor’s Office early Wednesday morning (September 2) has renewed calls for the rehabilitation of Manila City Hall, although officials said government operations would continue without interruption.

The blaze started shortly before 6 a.m. in the pantry of Vice Mayor Angela Lei “Chi” Atienza’s office and was declared under control at 6:15 a.m. It was fully extinguished seven minutes later.

No injuries were reported.

Initial findings by the Bureau of Fire Protection showed that the fire may have originated from a refrigerator that had been left plugged in inside the pantry.

The flames damaged several appliances and portions of the ceiling, but Atienza said official documents, computers and other essential office equipment were spared.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho,” Atienza said.

The vice mayor described the incident as a “wake-up call” underscoring the need for a comprehensive rehabilitation of the historic Manila City Hall to improve the safety of employees and visitors.

Atienza said she and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso had already discussed possible improvements to the building even before the fire.

City officials are expected to meet following the incident to discuss immediate safety measures as well as longer-term structural improvements.

Atienza said Moreno would announce the city government’s final plans for the rehabilitation of the building.