Fires hit Quezon City, Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines - Two fires destroyed a construction firm’s building in Quezon City and an estimated P3 million worth of furniture in Caloocan City, officials said yesterday.

Flames razed the two-story office building of E.C. Paulino Construction located in GSIS Village, Barangay Sangandaan in Quezon City. The fire started just before 9 a.m. and reached as high as Task Force Alpha. Firefighters were able to control the fire an hour later and put it out at around 10:20 a.m.

Investigators found out that the flames originated from the stock room located on the ground floor of the building.

City fire marshall Senior Superintendent Bobby Baruelo said no one was killed or injured.

Investigators are still trying to determine the origin of the fire and how much property damage it caused.

In a furniture district in Caloocan City, the second floor of a two-story store owned by Maria Victores Oreta was totally burned.

Fire Officer 1 Van Wendell Resurreccion said the fire started in the second-floor stockroom at around 4:23 p.m. and quickly spread to four other rooms, including the one that housed a small printing press.

The blaze reached Fourth Alarm before the local firefighters with the help of firemen from Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela were able to put it out at around 5:12 p.m.

Arson probers have yet to determine the exact cause of the blaze. – Reinir Padua, Pete Laude