1 dead as 3 fires hit Mandaluyong, Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines — A man died as three fires broke out in the cities of Mandaluyong and Caloocan since Monday night.

The charred body of Raymundo Liwanag Jr., 62, was found five hours after a fire destroyed his two-story house in Ayala Homes Subdivision in Barangay Barangka, Mandaluyong City yesterday.

The fire started at around 1:41 a.m. and spread toward parts of the building Liwanag used to store junk, according to Superintendent Christine Pula, city fire marshal.

Firefighters put the fire under control at around 2:25 a.m., when Liwanag was reported missing.

Around five hours later, his body, pinned under a piece of wood, was found under debris.

Pula said Liwanag, was alone in the house as his partner left for Bicol a few days ago.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, eight houses and a motel were razed in two separate fires in Caloocan.

A noontime fire that reached second alarm left 16 families homeless along Natividad street in Barangay 81 yesterday. 

The fire originated at a Chinese family’s old house, which contained garments, before spreading to seven houses, according to Caloocan fire marshal Superintendent Stephen Requina.

The fire started at around 11:30 a.m. and was put out an hour later. The damage is estimated at P300,000.

On Monday night, the generator set area of Victoria’s Court in Barangay 136, Bagong Barrio was also hit by a fire that reached second alarm.

The fire started at around 9 p.m. and was put out an hour later. The damage is estimated at P70,000.

No persons were reported hurt in both fire incidents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Requina said.