2 dead, 6 hurt as 3 fires hit Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Two people died while six others were injured when fires broke out in Manila, Taguig and Marikina since Thursday night.

In Tondo, Jonjon Comandante, 68, died on the way to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center after he was trapped in his burning house Thursday night.

Tristan Villajon, 25, and Lydia Tantiera were taken to the same hospital for treatment of burns. At least three others were treated for minor injuries.

The fire started at a two-story house owned by Lito Catanghal at around 7:30 p.m., said Senior Fire Officer 4 Jun-jun Jaligue.   

The flames spread to at least 15 houses before it was put out around two hours later.

Yesterday morning, a 96-year-old woman died when a fire razed a one-story home in Barangay Ususan, Taguig City.

The body of Manuela Buquel was found in the bedroom of her house on Apag street.

Investigators said the fire started at past 10 a.m. and reached first alarm before it was put out less than an hour later.

In Marikina, a 72-year-old woman was injured while she was saving her grandson at the height of a fire that destroyed their home yesterday.

Ten other houses were razed to the ground by the fire that started in the kitchen of Brigada Salvaterias’ two-story house in Barangay Nangka just before 1 a.m. yesterday.

Salvatieras had rushed out of the house and was shouting for help when she remembered her grandson was sleeping soundly on the second floor.

As she was guiding her grandson out of the house, a beam fell and hit Salvatieras. The fire reached second alarm and was put out one and a half hours later.

Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of all three fires. – Rey Galupo, Mike Frialde, Non Alquitran, Ghio Ong