Slum fire threatens QCPD armory

A three-hour fire broke out in a squatter colony and threatened an armory of the Quezon City Police District late Tuesday.

At least 70 houses were destroyed, leaving about 150 families homeless.

Chief Inspector Oscar Villegas said the fire started at around 9 p.m. in the house of a certain Arsenia Bante. It was put under control at 12 midnight. One person was reported injured.

Villegas said the fire quickly spread because the houses were made of light materials.

Firefighters concentrated their effort to stop the fire from inching towards the armory of the QCPD, which was separated only by a five-foot concrete wall.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has ordered city government agencies to provide assistance to the fire victims, who were temporarily evacuated to the QCPD compound. — Perseus Echeminada