(Eagle News)–The management of Star City on Sunday, Oct. 6, disputed the Bureau of Fire Protection’s finding arson was the only probable cause of the fire.
In a statement, the amusement park management said in the first place, “we are not aware of any motive, including financial gain, that would induce the commission on arson specially on the part of Star City as the business is profitable and a bumper Christmas Season was expected.”
Star City also rejected the BFP’s claim the fire suspiciously started in different parts of the amusement park at the same time, saying that “the fire originated from just one area which is a locator’s warehouse for stuffed toys.”
Star City said there was also gasoline inside the Star City Complex because the Bumper Boat ride runs particularly on gasoline.
As for the BFP’s claims it was unusual for there to be cotton in the park, the amusement park said this was actually not unusual because “cotton filling is being used to stuff toys redeemed in games.”
The BFP had said the cotton expedited the spread of the fire.
“In fact, most if not all of the stuffed toys are filled with cotton. Almost all theme parks, including those outside of the Philippines, sell or give as prizes, stuffed toys in the ordinary course of their business,” Star City said.
As for the Tweet “Star City is dead,” which prompted the speculations of arson, Star City said the Star City being referred was a fictional metropolis where DC Comics superhero Green Arrow fights crime and corruption.
It said this was based on the user itself of the Twitter account, which has since been deactivated.
“We feel it was inappropriate, to say the least, to release statements to media first regarding arson as the cause of fire when the investigation is not clearly concluded and before taking up such matter with Star City’s Management, the principal party concerned,” Star City said.
