1 dead as 3 fires break out in Metro

MANILA, Philippines - A man died as three fires were reported in Metro Manila starting Friday.

At around 6:10 a.m. Friday morning, a five-hour grass fire broke out at a 2,000-square meter vacant lot near a gas station along Macapagal Avenue.

Fire Officer 2 Tomas Dimafelix said the fire lasted until 11:35 a.m. because of the high winds. Roughly 10 fire- trucks were sent to the area to prevent the blaze from spreading to the gas station, which is also near a mall.

Fire officials could not say if the fire had been deliberately set.

Shortly after midnight yesterday, a man died when a fire struck his house at the corner of Buick and Consul streets in Barangay West Fairview in Quezon City.

Firefighters found the burned body of Jesus Tibay, 47, when they were mopping up after putting out the fire that lasted nearly an hour. Fire officials have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

Senior Police Officer 2 Fortunato Alde said Tibay was trapped inside the three-story house at the height of the fire, which started at the dining area.

Alde said the victim may have been asleep when the fire broke out. The fire destroyed an estimated P1.5 million in properties, fire officials said.

At around 6:28 a.m. yesterday, a fire of still undetermined cause broke out at a warehouse in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

The fire burned down the Simon Enterprises warehouse, used to store animal feed, along Lubiran street. The warehouse is reportedly owned by Simon Chua. No injuries or deaths were reported.   - Aie Balagtas See, Jerry Botial, Sandy Araneta