Mandaluyong fire leaves 300 families homeless

MANILA, Philippines - At least 300 families in Mandaluyong City may spend Christmas in the streets as a fire, reportedly started by an unattended candle, destroyed their homes yesterday.

City fire marshal Chief Inspector Nahum Tarroza said the fire started at the house of Marissa Petil in Welfareville Compound, Barangay Addition Hills at about 12:42 a.m. He said Petil’s house was without electricity and the family used candles instead.

Residents tried to put out the fire using pails of water but strong winds fanned the blaze towards adjacent houses, which were made of light materials.

Responding firemen from Mandaluyong and nearby cities in Metro Manila arrived but could not get near the fire because of the narrow alleys, Tarroza said. The fire alarm reached Task Force Bravo and it took firemen two hours to declare the blaze under control.

Rodel Jabinan, 36, was hit by falling debris while he tried to save some of his family’s belongings. The affected residents were given temporary shelter at the nearby Botanical Garden.

Affected residents said it would be very hard for them to construct a new house immediately and the coming Christmas would be sad for them.

Mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. distributed relief goods to the fire victims.  – Non Alquitran, Jose Rodel Clapano