4 hurt, 480 families homeless in Quezon City, Makati fires

MANILA, Philippines — Four persons were injured and at least 480 families were left homeless after fires broke out in Quezon City and Makati since Monday night.

An initial report from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said Dionisia Rabago, 57; Roy Sarmiento, 49; Jay Beltera, 38; and Alex Sarmiento, 45, the owner of the house where the fire started in Quezon City, were treated for first-degree burns.

The fire started at around 10:19 a.m. and reached Task Force Bravo at around 12:41 p.m., which means at least 27 firetrucks were needed at the scene.

The blaze destroyed around 150 houses and a factory along West Riverside in Barangay San Antonio.

Chief Inspector Joseph del Mundo, the ground commander at the scene, said the fire was caused by a cooking stove left unattended at Sarmiento’s house.

The fire was placed under control at around 2:35 p.m. and put out by around 3:58 p.m.. The estimated
cost of property damage was pegged at P1.5 million.

Aside from strong winds, firefighters had to contend with the lack of water supply in the area, Del Mundo said.

The displaced residents sought shelter at an evacuation center.

In Makati, more than 30 families lost their homes after a fire broke out in Barangay South Cembo on Monday night, an official said yesterday.

  Fire marshal Roy Quisto, quoting witnesses, said the fire started on the second floor of Rosalie Hernandez’s apartment before 7 p.m. and spread to nearby houses, which were made of light materials.

Quisto said the fire reached third alarm and destroyed at least P1.5 million worth of property before it was put out more than two hours later.

 No one was reported injured or killed during the incident. 

 Quisto said they are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. 

 Former presidential aide and senatorial candidate Christopher “Bong” Go visited the fire victims, who took refuge at an evacuation center, and distributed relief goods and financial assistance. – Robertzon Ramirez