Fires hit Manila, Pasay

A three-hour fire of still unknown origin razed a furniture shop in a crowded neighborhood in Sampaloc, Manila yesterday morning.

As of press time, firefighters are still scourging the debris of the gutted shop following unconfirmed reports that a person was trapped inside at the height of the fire.

Arson investigators said the fire started at about 10:50 a.m. at the warehouse of the furniture shop owned by a certain Mr. Chua along Geronimo street in Sampaloc.The fire reached the fifth alarm.

Apart from the furniture shop and warehouse, a two-story house was also razed by fire, according to Sampaloc fire sub-station deputy chief SFO4 Ramon Cano.

The fire was put out at around 1:15 p.m. Damage to property is still being assessed while the cause of fire is still under investigation.

In Pasay City, some 120 families were left homeless when fire hit a residential area last Thursday night.

The fire on F. Cruz street in Barangay Malibay razed at least 50 houses.

Fire Inspector Leo Andiso said the blaze started at 9:35 p.m. from the second floor of the house of one Danding Sanchez and reached third alarm in just three minutes.

No one was reportedly hurt in the fire.

Firemen battled the blaze for more than three hours, putting it out at around 1 a.m. the next day.

Investigation revealed that an unattended candle that fell on the floor caused the fire, which also affected neighboring houses on E. de Guzman street.

Andiso reported that Sanchez had his electricity cut after failing to pay the bill.

Affected families were temporarily housed at the barangay covered court and were given relief goods by City Hall and barangay officials.

Barangay chairman Rolando Cruz said they would assist affected families in rebuilding their houses. – Nestor Etolle, Edu Punay