Fires hit Pasay, QC

An hour-long fire left some 80 families homeless while razing property worth P50 million late yesterday afternoon in Pasay City.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Alfredo Delfin, Jr. said the fire started at around 4:54 p.m. at a two-story apartment rented by Tina Requeta located at 2927 Park Avenue corner Cuneta Avenue.

Investigators were still checking on reports that the fire was caused by an LPG tank leak at the Requeta residence. "Sabi nila (witnesses), bigla na lang sumabog yung LPG," he said. However, other residents in the area claimed smoke started from an air conditioning unit.

Delfin said they were still looking for Requeta. They also coordinated with the owner of the apartment, Lina Estrella.

Residents said Pasay firefighters arrived 45 minutes after the fire broke out. There were about 50 firetrucks from various volunteers and fire stations in Metro Manila that responded.

According to Delfin, they were delayed by the afternoon rush hour.

Meanwhile, a fire hit a row of commercial establishments along Quezon Avenue near Pantranco in Quezon City late yesterday afternoon.

Initial reports reaching the Central Fire Office disclosed that the fire broke out about 5:15 p.m. at theLucky One Club bar and restaurant then quickly spread to adjacent buildings, including an auto supply shop and several houses.

Arson investigators said the blaze reached Task Force Alpha at about 5:31 p.m. Probers have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

No one was reported hurt in the blaze. – Katherine Adraneda