Fire destroys Mandaluyong supermarket

A four-hour fire, believed to have been caused by faulty electrical wiring, gutted a supermarket in Mandaluyong City.

Arson investigators placed the damage to property at P10 million and nobody was injured in the fire.

The fire started at the ceiling of the Pure Gold Price Club Inc. located at the Liberty Center on Shaw Boulevard in Barangay Pleasant Hills at around 4:45 a.m.

"Maaaring short circuit ng kuryente and pinagmulan ng sunog," said arson prober FO2 Victorio Tablay.

He said initial findings showed that the fire started at the middle part of the grocery store.

The fire spread quickly to nearby areas and firemen had a difficult time battling the blaze since the establishment’s heavy doors were padlocked.

A security guard from the building reported the fire to the local fire department.

The store is operated by Chinese businessman Lucio Co while the building is owned by lawyer James Lidon.

Firefighters from all over Metro Manila rushed to the scene as the fire alarm rose to Task Force Charlie, the fourth highest fire alarm.

Responding firemen had to destroy the glass windows to penetrate the grocery store which was already engulfed by flames. Firemen also had to use hydraulic equipment to force open the establishment’s steel doors.

A helicopter, equipped with a Bambi bucket, hovered above the building and sprayed it with chemicals to help firemen put out the blaze. The fire was declared under control at 8:30 a.m.

Arson probers said the fire also damaged adjacent establishments, including a restaurant.

In Pasay City, more than 60 families were left homeless yesterday afternoon when a fire hit a residential area.

Probers said the blaze started at around 1:40 p.m. from the house of one Mario Aguirre on Dolores street in Barangay 67, Zone 8.

The fire had reached the fifth alarm before it was put under control at 2:20 p.m.

Authorities said a Philippine Air Force helicopter from nearby Villamor Air Base helped put out the fire.

No one was reported hurt in the fire.

The fire gutted more than 30 houses, including that of barangay chief Coney Alcala. Damage to property was placed at P2 million.

Fire District Director Superintendent Ruben Morales said they have yet to complete their investigation, but said it appears the fire was caused by a short circuit. – With Edu Punay