DAVAO CITY - An electrical short circuit sparked the NCCC Mall fire in Davao City that killed 38 people two days before Christmas, fire investigators have found.

Fire Supt. Jerry Candido, spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Anti-Arson Task Force looking into the incident, cited evidence indicating that the deadly blaze started with an electrical short circuit.

"Sa mga nakuha naming physical evidence na galvanized four lanes and electrical wirings, lumabas doon positive, may traces of electrical arcing sa galvanized four lanes. Ibig sabihin nito, may nangyaring electrical short circuit," Candido said.

Electrical arcing or sparking occurs when the current jumps loose or corroded wiring, potentially triggering an electrical fire.

Candido said the faulty electrical wiring was found in the "ceiling between the furniture and fabric sections," areas that both contain highly combustible materials.

As of Thursday morning, officials continued to scour the mall in search of Alexandra Moreno, a call center agent who remains missing nearly 2 weeks since the December 23 blaze.

"'Yung point of origin hindi pa napasok, baka sakali naroon si Alexandra. Gumuho kasi doon ang 3rd and 4th floor. Sana buhay po siya," he said.

Rescuers said some body parts were found in some areas, but investigators have yet to verify to whom they belong.

• Davao mall fire death toll hits 38