5 hurt in twin Manila fire incidents

Despite the heightened public awareness in line with Fire Prevention Month, two fire incidents broke out in Manila, where five persons were injured, including a one-year-old baby girl.

The first fire razed a three-door, two-story residential structure shared by some 20 families at 1512 Oroquieta street, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Confined at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center are Mary Joy Español, one year and three months old; her sister Melody, 13; and mother Ana Marie, 37; Mary Ann Nuñez, 17; and Elvira Gurdien, 33.

Mary Joy suffered first-degree burns and abrasions in the right ear, while Ana Marie suffered first-degree burns in the left leg, thigh, and right knee. Melody suffered a laceration in the left foot.

Arson probers said Nuñez was still in shock, while Gurdien suffered a sprained right ankle.

Investigator FO3 Jojo Magallanes said they are still investigating the cause of the fire, although some neighbors have said it started from a candle left unattended.

Arson investigators placed the damage to property at P100,000 in the first fire, which started at the rear-left portion of the house’s ground floor at about 3:13 a.m. It reached the fifth alarm four minutes later.

Firefighters placed the fire under control at 3:17 a.m., and put it out at 4 a.m.

Seven hours later, another fire razed some 16 houses in Sta. Ana, Manila.

Authorities said no one was hurt in the fire, which originated at 11:48 a.m. from a house on Oro-B Eloriago street, Sta. Ana, Manila. – Cecille Suerte Felipe