11 hurt in huge San Andres fire

A fire, reportedly caused by a leaking tank of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), struck a thickly populated depressed area early yesterday morning at the boundary of San Andres Bukid, Manila and Makati City, leaving at least 3,000 families homeless.
According to Fire Chief Inspector Fennimore Jaudian, chief of the Manila Fire Department Arson Division, the blaze was triggered by an exploding LPG tank located at the second floor of a house owned by Alberto Librando located at 2525 Onyx St. in San Andres at about 5:15 a.m.

The fire swiftly crossed Radium and Chromium streets and made its way through the two-block residential area of about 1,000 houses, mostly shanties made of light materials.

Reports said at least 600 houses were destroyed by the fire in San Andres alone.

Reports reaching the Manila Fire Department said the fire, which reached the general alarm level, was not immediately controlled as responding fire trucks from various parts of Metro Manila found it difficult to enter the area’s narrow streets and alleys.

Adding to the problem was the sudden shortage of water to control the fire. Radio commentators even appealed to private companies with large water trucks to help the firemen contain the fire.

The fire left 11 people injured. They had to be rushed to nearby hospitals for burn treatment.

The injured were identified as Rufino Rape, 84; Simeon Espinosa, 72; Raul Langit, 30; Renato Liparez, 35; Eula Cadan, 33; Andrei Ruiz, 16; Rene Dagohoy, 29; Gitzer Billonas, 27; Lazaro Hamon, 35; Ruel Apitoryo, 31; and Ariel Brasmin, 27.

Rampaging through Onyx, Radium and Chromium streets, the blaze soon reached Barangays Singkamas and La Paz in Makati City.

After battling the flames for about five hours, firemen finally stopped the fire at about 10 a.m.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza assured the displaced residents that the city government will provide immediate aid and assistance.

President Arroyo set aside her previous engagements at Malacañang yesterday and motored to San Andres Bukid to help provide assistance to the fire victims.

Accompanied by Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman and Atienza, President Arroyo went to the Holy Family Church in Onyx Street, in San Andres.

On orders of the President, the fire victims were transferred to Villamor High School and Rafael Palma High School in San Andres Bukid as their temporary shelter. – Mike Frialde, Marichu Villanueva and Nestor Etolle