4 fires break out in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Four fire incidents marred Christmas Day celebrations in Manila, Caloocan and Quezon City since Tuesday.

A residential building on Bacood street in Sta. Mesa, Manila was razed in a fire that reached third alarm at past midnight yesterday, according to Manila fire chief investigator Capt. John Joseph Jalique.

It caused P300,000 in damages and left five families homeless. It was put out at past 2 a.m. yesterday.

Although no one was injured, two pet dogs died in the fire, Jalique said.

At past noon yesterday, 40 families were also left homeless in a fire that reached second alarm along Estrada extension in Sta. Ana, Manila.

The fire razed 20 houses and caused P200,000 in damages. It was put out at past 2 p.m.

In Caloocan, 14 families were left homeless in a fire that razed nine houses and reached second alarm on Libis Espina street, Barangay 16 on Tuesday afternoon, fire marshall Supt. Stephen Requina said. 

The fire also caused P300,000 damages.

Arson investigators are still investigating if the fire incidents were caused by the Christmas feast preparations.

In Quezon City, a fire hit SM City Fairview shopping mall on Tuesday.

City fire marshal Senior Superintendent Jaime Ramirez said the blaze started at a branch of Mang Inasal at the second floor of the mall’s main building.

Ramirez said the fire broke out at around 1:12 p.m. at the restaurant’s chimney due to open flames at the grilling station.

At least six fire trucks responded to the scene while firefighters put out the blaze at around 2:02 p.m.

No one was injured during the fire which destroyed P30,000 worth of property.

In a statement, SM City Fairview said only the Mang Inasal restaurant was affected by the blaze due to the prompt response of firefighters and members of the mall’s emergency response team.

Shoppers were immediately evacuated while the fire was ongoing as a precaution.

“The rest of the mall remains to be in normal operations,” it said.