Man dies in Marikina fire

MANILA, Philippines – Two days after celebrating his 20th birthday, a man died in a fire, believed to have been caused by an electric fan that overheated, in Marikina City yesterday.

The body of Salvador Aller was discovered by firefighters in the bathroom of his family’s house on Chorillo street in Barangay Barangka before 7 a.m.

Aller, whose body showed no sign of burn injuries, could have died from suffocation, said arson investigator FO1 Len Belosono.

Neighbors said Aller had been drinking with friends since Saturday, when he celebrated his birthday.

Belosono said the fire started on the second floor of the house while its occupants – including the victim – were still asleep.

At the height of the fire, several of the house’s occupants woke up Aller, but the victim became disoriented and went to the bathroom to seek refuge, Belosono said.

The fire reached third alarm and destroyed nine other houses before it was put out an hour later.

Arson probers found the burned electric fan still plugged into a wall socket.

The families who were left homeless by the fire were given temporary shelter at the barangay hall.

Mayor Del de Guzman ordered the distribution of food and relief goods.

Meanwhile, another fire broke out along Dela Paz street near the Sto. Niño Elementary School at around 8 a.m. yesterday.

No one was hurt in the fire, which destroyed two houses before it was put out around 25 minutes later.

Arson investigators have yet to determine what caused the fire.