MANILA, Philippines — An estimated P3 million worth of properties were destroyed, while some 300 families were left homeless after a large fire hit a squatter’s area in Mandaluyong City early Friday morning.
Fire Officer 2 (FO2) Noel Santiago, radio operator from the Mandaluyong City Fire
Department, disclosed that an estimated 100 houses were destroyed after a fire hit a residential/squatters area along Martinez St., Welfareville Compound, Barangay Addition Hills, Plainview, Mandaluyong City.
Santiago said the fire, which originated at the house of one Marisa Petil, started at 12:42 a.m.
He said the fire, which reached “Task Force Bravo,” quickly spread to neighboring houses which were made of light materials.
“The houses were made of light materials. That is the reason why the fire quickly spread to other homes,” Santiago said in Filipino.
Initial information from residents indicated that the fire was sparked by an unattended candle.
He said that one person, identified as Rodel Jabinar, 46, needed medical attention after he sustained minor burns while escaping from his burning house.
He said fire fighters who rushed to the scene managed to put out the fire at 3:10 a.m. Several firemen and fire volunteers were slightly injured in efforts to put out the fire.
At press time, fire investigators, led by Chief Inspector Nahum Tarroza, chief of the Mandaluyong City Fire Department, are investigating to determine the cause of the fire.
Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos who rushed to the scene ordered the evacuation of affected families to Hardin ng Pag-asa. Other displaced families were taken to a nearby basketball court where they are being assisted by the local Department of Social Welfare and Development. (With a report by Rizal S. Obanil and Madelynne Dominguez)
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