4,000 families left homeless in Quezon City fire

MANILA, Philippines — At least 4,000 families lost their homes after a fire razed a shantytown along the NIA Road in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City on Friday night.

The fire started at 9:01 p.m. and reached Task Force Bravo, one of the highest alarms raised by the Bureau of Fire Protection, at 11:18 p.m.

The blaze was extinguished at 5:26 a.m. yesterday.

At least 100 fire trucks from across Metro Manila were at the scene as the blaze raged for hours, gutting 95 percent of the houses mostly made from light materials, according to barangay officials.

Barangay Pinyahan Chairman Ricardo Villaflor said electrical wiring might have caused the fire, although arson probers have yet to confirm this.

Investigators are also verifying reports that a man who was saving his belongings died of heart attack.

The Quezon City government recorded at least seven people wounded in the incident.

According to officials, there are at least 5,000 families occupying the shanties from Area A to Area D.

Villaflor said the displaced families are seeking shelter at Pinyahan covered court, Flora Ylagan High School, San Isidro Labrador church, Pinyahan Elementary School, NIA Building, NIA covered court, NAPOCOR, Seedling NHA and Post Office.

However, some residents chose to camp on the roadside to salvage some household items yesterday.

The victims are appealing for donations such as water, food, hygiene kits, clothes and utensils.