SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Fire of still undetermined origin gutted on Monday part of the historic APEC Villa here where 18 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) met for the Subic economic summit in 1996.

The thirty-minute fire destroyed the iconic domed lobby of the APEC Villa clubhouse, as well as the sales office and show units of MSK Group Work Inc., a Taiwanese construction and engineering firm that is developing the P2-billion Triboa Majestic Bay Residences condominium project nearby.

A diorama of the Triboa project that was prominently displayed as centerpiece in the lobby was also reduced to ashes.

According to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the fire started at about 7:40 a.m. and was put under control at 8:15 a.m.

Three fire engines from the SBMA, accompanied by one water tanker from the Philippine Red Cross and assisted by volunteers led by SBMA Deputy Administrator Rani Cruz, put out the fire.

Witnesses said they heard small explosions coming from the ceiling of the clubhouse lobby before the fire broke out.  The blaze sent occupants of the building scampering outside to safety.

SBMA Fire Chief Ranny Magno said the fire was finally declared “out” at 9:26 a.m. No one was hurt in the fire, he added.

Meanwhile, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado, who inspected the fire scene, cited the SBMA Fire Department for its fast response.

“There was no report about the fire, but our firefighters observed the smoke plume from across the bay and decided on their own to check it out,” Agregado said. “Because of their pro-activeness, a lot of damage was prevented.”

The historic clubhouse was part of the APEC Villa complex, which hosted economic leaders from 18 Asia-Pacific nations during the 1996 summit, the eighth APEC meeting in history and the first held in the Philippines. Those who attended the summit included U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Last year, the Taiwanese firm MSK took over the clubhouse, which will be an integral part of its beachfront condominium project. — HENRY EMPEÑO

TOP PHOTO: A firefighters from the SBMA Fire Department battles a raging fire that engulfed the former APEC Villas clubhouse. (Photos on this page by Ranny Magno and Rani Cruz)