2 fires hit Manila

MANILA, Philippines –  Two fires broke out in Sta. Cruz and Tondo districts in Manila as the Filipino-Chinese communities celebrated the first day of the Year of the Rabbit yesterday.

Six members of a Filipino-Chinese family were injured when fire gutted their rented unit at the second floor of a six-story residential apartment owned by Foremost Realty Corp. along Soler street in Sta. Cruz at around 4:43 a.m. The fire was put out at around 5:09 a.m.

Arson investigators identified the victims, who suffered burns and smoke inhalation, as Manuel Chua, 67; his wife Huily, 67; and their children Regina June, 34; Bernice, 28; Evangeline, 25; and Eileen Jane, 23.

The fire was reportedly caused by lighted incense left unattended at the altar of the Chua family, who were fast asleep after welcoming the New Year.

The smoke woke up the four sisters, who immediately sought sanctuary in the bathroom while their parents tried to put out the fire. Responding firefighters had to use a breathing apparatus to enter the smoke-filled unit and rescue the entire family.

The victims were rushed to the Metropolitan Medical Center, where they are recuperating.

Meanwhile, another fire razed a squatter colony in Tondo, Manila, burning down some 60 shanties and affecting some 120 families.

The fire of still unknown origin reportedly started at the house of Maximo Morato at Interior 3, S. Trinidad and J. Luna streets and quickly spread to other houses. No one was reportedly injured.

The two-hour Tondo fire, which destroyed some P25 million worth of property, was placed under control at around 5:30 a.m. – Nestor Etolle, Sandy Araneta