Manila Bulletin, April 14, 2007
A fire believed caused by an unattended gas lamp razed about 200 residential houses on C4 Road in Tanong, Malabon City after midnight yesterday.
Several hours later, another fire hit a residential area in Cubao, Quezon City, destroying seven houses along Liberty Avenue in Barangay Socorro.
Arson investigator FO1 Edgar Lamiel estimated that about 2,700 individuals were affected by the Malabon City fire.
Probers said a responding fireman and a civilian were injured when falling debris hit them at the height of the fire.
The fire, which reached Task Force Charlie, began at 12:15 a.m. and was placed under control at 2:45 a.m. It started at the house of a certain Alfredo Barro when an unattended gas lamp suddenly burst into flames, probers said.
"The fire spread quickly since the houses in the neighborhood were made of light materials," a fireman said.
Malabon City Fire Marshal Chief Insp. Rodrigo Reyes said he found out that most residents in the area were using lamps and candles since electricity had been cut off due to the unabated illegal electrical connections. "Sala-salabat kasi ang mga connections ng kuryente sa lugar na ito," Reyes told newsmen.
FO1 Roberto Maglonzo from the Navotas fire station sustained second-degree burns on his left hand.
An unidentified civilian also suffered minor injuries on his left forearm when he tried to take cover from falling debris, probers said.
Mayor Canuto Oreta and Vice Mayor Arnol Vicencio immediately sent financial and medical assistance to the victims.
Oreta ordered the local department of social welfare and development in the city to transfer the affected families to temporary shelters located near the fire scene.
Meanwhile, a fire of still unknown origin gutted a residential area in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday morning.
No one was reported killed or injured in the fire.
Investigation revealed that the fire, which reached the fifth alarm, broke out at 11:25 a.m. and was announced under control several hours later.
Witnesses said the fire originated from a videoke bar. They said they saw thick smoke billowing out from the videoke bar’s window before the fire spread to other structures.
Due to the hot weather, the fire rapidly spread.
Some witnesses said they heard a loud explosion before the fire started.
