100 families lose homes in fire

About a hundred families lost their homes in a fire that raged for three hours early yesterday morning in Caloocan North.

Chief Inspector Ruel Jeremy Diaz, Caloocan Cty fire marshal, estimated the damage at P1.5 million. Diaz said no one was reported killed or injured in the blaze that totally razed 10 houses and partially damaged some five more in the depressed community.

Although arson investigators told The STAR they have a suspect, they said they are yet to establish the cause of the fire.

SFO1 Edwin Buenaventura, arson investigator, said the fire began at around 2:33 a.m. and was declared out by 5:19 a.m. Buenaventura said the fire started from the room of a two-story house on 20 Gen. Tirona street near corner Tirad Pass in Barangay 138, Bagong Barrio rented out by Richelle Reyes, 33.

Reyes was initially suspected of having started the blaze. Investigators gathered from witnesses that Reyes, who was alone in the house when the fire broke out, reportedly have been showing fits of depression the last few days. Her husband allegedly left her for another woman.