Manila, April 2 -- The head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday there is no indication that the grassfire monitored in Taal Volcano Island (TVI) on April 1 was caused by volcanic activity.

Phivolcs said the grassfire in the southwest portion of TVI initially spread at 11:24 a.m. on April 1 and ended at 2 a.m. on April 2.

"It was possibly caused by natural ignition due to dry weather. It could also be caused by people, of someone's cigarette butt, for example," Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

The San Nicolas MDRRMO is currently investigating the incident, he added.

Several instances could trigger a grassfire around or near an active vol...