Hotel guests and employees were alarmed after a short circuit caused an explosion at the Manila Pavilion Hotel in Ermita, Manila yesterday morning.

Inspector Oscar Enciso, chief of Manila Police District office-Explosive and Ordnance Division, said the explosion triggered a blaze on the 3rd floor of Manila Pavilion Hotel on U.N. Avenue corner Maria Orosa Street in Ermita, at 9:15 a.m. yesterday.

SFO2 Renato Babista, of Manila Fire Department, said an explosion rocked the hotel prior to the blaze.