A fire that razed the Housing Technology Industries (HTI) building in the Cavite Economic Zone

compound in General Trias has caused over 3000 affected employees, 104 people injured, one victim
died, and an estimated P15 billion worth of damage, Cavite Governor Boying Remulla said.

6:20 pm Wednesday, February 1, 2017 when the fire started in one of its insulation rooms. Third
alarm was immediately raised and the alert level reached Task Force Charlie around 9 p.m. The
fire spread to a nearby factory that contained wood used to build houses. The blaze was declared
fire out after 70 hours, at around 4 p.m. Saturday, February 4, 2017

Remulla reported that the company is the largest employer inside the Cavite Economic Zone with an
estimated 15,000 employees. 6,000 of those employees are on duty, preparing for the night shift at 6
pm.

Makabayan bloc lawmakers, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, and Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao want
Congress to investigate the fire that gutted a factory even as they reminded the public of the fate of the
Kentex fire in Valenzuela City back in 2015.

Remulla said an overheated installation machine may have sparked the fire on the first floor of the
three-storey building.

Factory employees reportedly heard a loud explosion from the molding area on the first floor at
around 6 p.m Wednesday.

One of the employees, who refused to be named, said she was about to begin her shift when the
smoke detector went off, prompting her to run for her life.

Cavite Economic Zone Administrator Norma Tañag said the Philippine Economic Zone
Authority (PEZA), which manages the country's export processing zones, conducted its annual
inspection in HTI last June 2016.

She said HTI was compliant with PEZA's safety requirements.

HTI promised to shoulder the medical expenses of the fire victims. PEZA said it will also provide
assistance to the fire victims.