Fire leaves 283 families homeless

MANILA, Philippines — At least 283 families were left homeless when a fire broke out at a shantytown in Quezon City yesterday.

The blaze, which the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said started at around 2:01 a.m., destroyed around 100 houses along Pascual street in Barangay Bagbag, according to barangay officials.

The BFP’s National Capital Region field office said the blaze reached second alarm before it was controlled by firefighters at around 5:20 a.m.

Barangay Bagbag captain Richard Ambita said in a report that 283 households or 1,169 individuals were affected by the blaze.

There were no casualties during the fire, according to barangay officials.

In Mandaluyong, three people were injured and at least 180 families were displaced when a fire broke out at a slum community in Barangay Addition Hills yesterday.

The BFP identified those injured as Adelin Garcia, 30; Mark Carlos, 25, and Rogelio Perena, 67.

The fire along F. Martinez street started at around 11:20 a.m. and reached fourth alarm before it was put out at around 1:06 p.m.

The city fire department said some 160 families or 450 individuals lost their homes and sought shelter in an evacuation center.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire, which destroyed P1.2 million worth of property.