200 families lose homes in Pasig fire

MANILA, Philippines — At least 200 families were left homeless when a fire broke out at a residential area in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City yesterday.

City fire marshal Superintendent Aristotle Banaga said the blaze started at the house of Jose Ortiz at around 7:49 a.m.

Banaga said the flames quickly spread to around 50 houses in the area.

Senior Fire Officer 3 Julius Ramirez and one of the residents, Wiliam Gatunena, 57, suffered minor injuries, according to Banaga.

The fire reached the second alarm before it was contained by firefighters at around 10:48 a.m.

Arson investigators said they have yet to determine the cause of the fire, which destroyed some P1.5 million worth of property.