Tondo, Binondo fires destroy 50 houses

MANILA, Philippines - At least 50 houses and some P1.5 million worth of property were destroyed in two fires that hit the Tondo and Binondo districts in Manila Friday.

No one was reported injured in both fires, which reached the fifth alarm, according to arson investigator SFO2 Emmanuel Gaspar.

The first fire occurred at around 4 p.m. at a two-story residential structure along San Nicolas street in Binondo that reportedly housed at least seven families. The fire started at the second floor unit occupied by one Felix Amore, according to Gaspar’s report.

The fire was put under control at around 6 p.m., while probers are still investigating the cause of the fire. Damage to property was placed at P1 million.

Meanwhile, another fire razed a shantytown at the Parola Compound in Tondo past 8 p.m.

Gaspar said the fire was caused by an unattended lighted candle at the shanty of one Rolly Panela. The blaze quickly spread to adjacent houses, which were made of light materials.

There are reports that most of the residents at the Parola Compound have no electricity. The fire was put out at around 9:30 p.m. Some P500,000 worth of property went up in smoke, Gaspar said.  – Nestor Etolle