MET Theater incurs minor fire damage

The Manila Fire Department reported that the fire broke out at about 8:55 a.m., reached the second level, and declared out by 9:41 a.m. (File Photo: Manila DRRM Office/Facebook)

MANILA – The Metropolitan (MET) Theater management assured no important items or documents were destroyed in a fire that hit the Padre Burgos Street side of the Manila landmark on Friday morning.

The Manila Fire Department reported that the fire broke out at about 8:55 a.m., reached the second level, and declared out by 9:41 a.m.

In a statement, the MET management said nobody was hurt and only old and worn-out items were razed in the fire that broke out in one of the rooms on the ground floor that is still under renovation.

“Nagmula ang sunog sa isang silid sa unang palapag ng Padre Burgos Wing ng gusali na pangkasalukuyang isinasaayos sa ilalim ng Phase III ng proyekto. Hindi na kumalat pa ang sunog sa ibang bahagi ng complex o ng Tanghalan (The fire started in a room on the first floor of the Padre Burgos Wing that is being renovated under the Phase 3 of the project. The fire did not spread to other parts of the complex and to the theater),” read the statement posted on Facebook.

The MET management was also thankful for the outpouring of concern and the swift action of authorities to contain the fire at the “Grand Old Dame”.

“Nagpapasalamat din kami sa lahat ng nagpahayag ng pakikiisa sa social media. Patuloy lang nitong pina-igting ang aming damdaming lalong maglingkod upang tuluyang buhaying muli ang ating Tanghalang Bayan (We thank those who expressed concern through social media.  It only continued to strengthen our desire to serve more and to finally revive the theater),” it added.

As of posting time, the Bureau of Fire Protection is still determining the cause of the fire and the extent of damage.

MET, the oldest existing theater in the Philippines, is known for its deco designed by architect Juan Arellano in January 1930.

Its restoration began in 2017 with a budget of over PHP260 million and through the efforts of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), National Museum, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Manila City government.

The theater now restored, it reopened to the public in December 2021.

In 1973, MET was declared a National Historical Landmark by NHCP forerunner National Historical Institute and a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum on June 23, 2010.