Fires hit San Juan school, Manila warehouse

MANILA, Philippines - Despite heavy rains brought by typhoon “Falcon,” fires broke out at a Protestant school in San Juan and a two-story warehouse in Manila yesterday.

San Juan fire chief Inspector Edwin Co said a fire started at around midnight at the third floor of the Tabernacle of Faith Christian Academy building, which spread to the fourth floor. The school is owned by Rey Llanera.

The fire, which damaged around P5 million worth of property, is believed to have been caused by faulty wiring.

Security guard Eduardo Joven said the fire alarm did not work. He said the third floor was the building’s mezzanine while the fourth floor was used as a chapel and meeting hall.

One of the stay-in teachers, Johnny Aquino, said he left his wallet – which contained P2,000 – when he ran out of the building. He found that his money had disappeared when he returned.

Meanwhile, a five-hour fire of still unknown origin started at around 8:30 a.m. at the ground floor of an old warehouse on Gen. Solano street near Malacañang.

Fire Officer 2 Lords Hernandez said firefighters from all over Metro Manila experienced difficulty in battling the blaze due to the thick smoke that enveloped the building. FO2 Sergio Pangan Jr. lacerated his kneecap while fighting the fire.

Firemen could not say what was stored in the warehouse pending the results of an ongoing inventory. Damage to property was pegged at around P500,000.