MANILA- Justice Chief Vitaliano Aguirre II has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the fire at the Waterfront Manila Pavilion that claimed the lives of 5 people.

In a March 19 department order, Aguirre tasked NBI Director Dante Gierran to probe and determine whether there is culpability on the part of any agency or office over the fatal blaze.

• Manila Pavilion fire death toll hits 5

Aguirre also ordered the NBI to file appropriate charges as evidence may warrant.

DOJ, inatasan na ang NBI na imbestigahan ang nangyaring sunog sa Manila Pavillion Hotel. pic.twitter.com/w81Zpd2Whi

— Johnson L. Manabat (@JohnsonManabat) March 20, 2018

The Bureau of Fire Protection is still investigating if welding work caused the 25-hour long blaze at the hotel-casino complex which began Sunday and was put out on Monday morning.

• Did welding cause Manila Pavilion fire? Probe still on, says BFP

It left 5 people dead, all of whom are casino employees, and around 20 people injured.

• Manila Pavilion hotel wala umanong fire alarm, sabi ng nakaligtas na kustomer

About 300 guests and staff were evacuated safely, hotel and fire officials told a press conference.