US – Research Now SSI confirmed that 37 of its employees at a local call centre died in the NCCC mall fire in Davao City, Philippines.

The company’s Davao call centre was founded in July 2008 as part of its market research CATI services and employed 500 staff.

CEO, Gary Laben, said: "This terrible tragedy has left us with heavy hearts. We offer our condolences and prayers to the families and loved ones of the victims.

"Words cannot express how saddened we are. We are grateful for the courageous response of the first responders and others who rushed to the scene."

Customers, colleagues, competitors and Research Now SSI employees have raised more than $90,000 for the families of the victims and this, along with financial support already committed to by the company, will help provide for the families.

At a memorial service Research Now SSI hosted in Davao, the company reinforced its commitment to having a work location in Davao, for which it has already begun exploring site options. In the meantime, the company will look to place some of the Davao team in its 1,000-person Cebu facility.

The company is continuing to pay its Davao employees and will replace any personal items lost in the fire. In addition, Research Now SSI continues to provide the Davao employees with grief counselling and to helping the victims’ families with both financial and counselling support.

Research Now SSI is committed to working with local authorities in their continuing investigation.