Fires hit Makati, Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines - Two fires broke out in Makati and Quezon City yesterday morning.

The first blaze broke out at the house of Jerry Calimag on Balagtas street at past 2 a.m., according to Senior Inspector Tito Purgatorio, chief arson investigator of the Makati fire department.

The fire started at the second floor, spread to adjacent houses and reached third alarm within minutes. Firefighters put out the fire about half an hour later.

No one was hurt in the blaze, which razed eight houses and left 53 persons homeless. At least P1 million worth of property was destroyed.

At around 6 a.m., another fire razed a portion of a four-story building in Barangay San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City.

The fire started at the fourth floor of the building, where electrical supplies are kept, according to Superintendent Jesus Fernandez.

The building, located at the intersection of E. Porto and Pat Senador streets, is reportedly being utilized as a warehouse by Supertop Trading Inc. and owned by businessman Ramon Sy, 53.

No one was injured in the fire, which reached fourth alarm before it was put out more than an hour later.

Arson investigators are checking if the two fires were caused by faulty electrical wiring.