Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte is ordered to investigate the violations committed by the owners of the t-shirt printing factory that caught on fire in a residential area in Brgy. Tandang Sora, leaving 15 dead, including a three-month-old baby, while two were injured.

In a press briefing, Belmonte mentioned that there were misstatements on the area of the business, number of employees, and business activity.

Based on the investigation, the business owner engaged in manufacturing and t-shirt printing in a 200-square-meter structure.

Moreover, Belmonte stated that the business owners registered their trade as a trading company for clothes located in a 15-square-meter office.

She also explained that those who can be held liable for the incident are the remaining members of the corporation and that the possible cases to be filed against them are reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and violation of laws.

According to Belmonte, the investigation will include the owner’s violation of the National Building Code, Fire Code of the Philippines, Zoning Ordinance, business permit, occupancy permit, and other laws and ordinances in the business.

On Thursday, August 31, a fire hit the said establishment at around 5:30 a.m., hitting two structures in Pleasant View Subdivision in Barangay Tandang Sora.

Belmonte further said that there was no manufacturing activity at the time of the inspection, and fire officials saw that they were operating in a 15-square-meter office, so the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) issued a fire clearance, but it had already expired last year and the owners have yet to renew it.

The BFP is still investigating the cause of the incident, which caused damages that reached around P3 million.