By Ely Dumaboc/PNA
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Proceedings at the Hall of Justice here were abruptly suspended at noontime Thursday after one of the courtrooms caught fire.
Executive Judge Gregorio dela Peña issued the work suspension to give court employees time to clean their respective courtrooms after water spilled all over the Hall of Justice building following a fire response.
Supt. Jhufel Brañanola, head of the Zamboanga City Fire District, said the fire broke out at the staff room of the Regional Trial Court Branch 17 at about 10 a.m.
Brañanola said the fire, which reached first alarm status, partially burned the staff room and damaged court records and documents “due for disposal.”
He said the fire started at the terrace of the staff room where court records, documents, used chairs, and appliances were stockpiled. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
Brañanola said damage to property was placed at PHP10,000 and the conflagration was put out less than 30 minutes later.
