20 houses destroyed in Makati blaze

MANILA, Philippines - A fire fanned by strong winds razed as many as 20 houses in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City yesterday afternoon.

City fire marshal Ricardo Perdigon said the fire started at the house of Emiliano Bricio on A. Bonifacio street at past 2 p.m. The fire quickly swept through a row of houses made of light materials along the Pasig River, then spread toward the houses along Mabini street.

Perdigon said though no one was reported injured or killed in the fire, four vehicles – including a Honda City sedan and a Tamaraw FX van – were also gutted by the fire.

Perdigon said 22 firetrucks from the local government units and 21 fire trucks put out the blaze at around 3:15 p.m.

Perdigon said the cause of the fire is still under investigation although residents claimed the fire was caused by illegal electrical connections.

The Makati Fire Department has yet to determine the number of families affected by the fire and the cost of  damaged properties.