Fire hits Manila U belt

A fire of still undetermined origin razed a three-story residential-commercial building in Sampaloc, Manila, yesterday morning, leaving behind at least P5 million in damage.

Arson investigators of the Manila Fire Department said the fire hit the building located at 950 Lerma Street at about 10:26 a.m.

The fire which started at a unit owned by Jaime Alojado located on the ground and mezzanine floors of the building and quickly spread to the upper floors which were occupied by student boarders.

Firemen from Manila and Quezon City soon rushed to the scene and battled the fire which soon reached the fifth alarm. The fire was extinguished at about 11:24 a.m.

Though there were no reported deaths, four people, including a Manila fireman were reported injured during the blaze.

They were identified as Alojado, who sustained 3rd degree burns in both palms, Senior Fire Officer 1 Renato Babista who sustained laceration wounds in the hands after a glass window fell on him; Miles Hilario, 21; and Sandy Briones, who sustained burns and cuts in the legs and arms.

According to Manila Fire Marshall Senior Superintendent Pablito Corteza, four fire trucks were sent to the fire scene by the Manila Fire Department shortly after the fire started. However, the arrival of the firetrucks was hampered by the narrow streets and the heavy traffic in the area. — Mike Frialde