Pasay fire razes 400 homes

MANILA, Philippines - A two-hour fire, reportedly triggered by a lighted candle left unattended, destroyed more than 400 houses along M. dela Cruz street in Pasay City before noon yesterday.

The fire, which broke out at past 11 a.m., was placed under control at around 1 p.m., according to city fire marshal Chief Inspector Douglas Guiab.

Firefighters were still conducting a clearing operation as of press time yesterday, he said, adding that no casualties were reported.

Arson investigators were at the scene to determine what caused the fire.

Guiab said the area razed by the fire had no electricity and the residents were using candles and lamps when the fire broke out.

He said narrow alleys delayed firefighters who responded to the incident. They linked fire hoses and battled the blaze for two hours.

Strong winds fanned the flames, which threatened the newly built Pasay City North High School. A creek prevented the fire from spreading further.

Wilma Martin tried to go back to her burning house but fainted from smoke inhalation. She was declared safe by Pasay City rescue personnel.

Pasay’s local disaster office said it has yet to assess the number of families affected by the fire, but other reports said at least 1,200 families were left homeless.