Fires destroy P4-M properties in Valenzuela

An estimated P4 million worth of properties were destroyed in two separate fires before dawn yesterday in Valenzuela City.

Chief Inspector Agapito Nacario, Valenzuela City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief, said businessman Romeo Baylon was hurt in a fire that broke out at about 2:33 a.m. at his two-story house in Barangay Arkong Bato.

Arson investigator Fire Officer 2 Marlon Sison said that a power interruption occurred in Baylon’s area, prompting the businessman to turn on the generator. However, the candle he was holding ignited the gasoline he was pouring into the tank.

It started a one-hour blaze, which totally gutted the house, Sison said.

Baylon also suffered second-degree burns on both arms and his back.

No other houses were damaged but some P3 million of the victim’s property went up in smoke.

A few minutes earlier, a fire caused by faulty electrical wiring occurred at the house of Uldarico Laurente in Barangay Bagbaguin, destroying P1 million worth of property.

Nobody was reported hurt in the incident, Sison said.