MANILA, Philippines – A 40-year-old woman and her three children died when a fire struck an abandoned building and razed more than 60 shanties in Binondo, Manila Saturday night.
Arson probers identified the fatalities as Mary Grace Sundiya and her children Gerardo Jr., 5; Gerald Mark, 3; and one-year-old Geralyn.
Sundiya’s husband, Gerardo Sr., was at work when the fire broke out at an abandoned building at the corner of Valderama and Muelle dela Industria streets at past 10 p.m., according to Chief Inspector Crispo Diaz, head of the Manila Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Diaz said the flames spread to the house of the Sundiyas while the victims were fast asleep.
Firefighters retrieved the bodies of the victims after the blaze was put out at around 1:30 a.m. yesterday.
Gerardo, a pedicab driver, is asking for assistance for the burial of his family.
“I don’t know how I will start again. I don’t have anyone now. This is so painful because I was not there when they needed me most,” he said in Filipino.
Another boy was injured in the blaze and was rushed to the hospital.
Arson investigators said a lit candle that was left unattended triggered the fire.
Diaz said around 60 houses were razed, leaving 100 families homeless.
Damage to property was placed at P500,000.
Fire breaks out in Makati
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man died when a fire hit a squatter’s area along Paraiso street in Barangay Pembo, Makati before dawn yesterday.
Reports said Roy John Bautista was trapped when he tried to go back to his room after the fire broke out at past 2:30 a.m.
Senior Fire Officer 3 Librado Villanu-eva of BFP-Makati said the fire was declared under control an hour later. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire. – With Perseus Echeminada