Fire razes 500 houses in Malabon

At least a thousand families are now homeless after fire razed through a huge residential area in Malabon City, Tuesday night. The fire injured five people and caused a pregnant woman to suffer a miscarriage.

Chief Insp. Rodrigo Navalta Reyes, Malabon fire marshal, said at least 1,000 families were rendered homeless by the fire which struck Barangay Tonsuya.

Fire Officer-3 Albino Torres, arson investigator identified the injured as: John Michael Alontaga, 22; Roderick Dela Cruz, 18; Nino Cruz, 35; Mark Anthony Dela Cruz, 25; and Ogie Basco, 17; and Rodel Mabute, 32.

Torres said that a pregnant woman, whose identity has not yet been verified, suffered a miscarriage and was rushed to the hospital.

Torres said that, as per report by the barangay administrator, at least 500 houses were burned down by the fire. The number of families doubled that of the residences razed since there are households which have more than one family.

An investigation is still being conducted to determine whether the fire started at the second floor of a house owned by Lydia Espejo, Torres said.

“Maaring nag short circuit ang linya ng kuryente sa bandang itaas” (A short circuit may have developed at the second floor),” Torres said.

“May PISO Net daw sa itaas ng bahay at ito ay inaalam pa kung dito nagsimula ang apoy,” (There is a PISO Net inside the house and we are still investigating whether the fire broke out there), Torres said.

Firemen said they had difficulty in penetrating the area due to the narrow roads leading to the affected houses.

The victims have taken temporary shelter at the Tonsuya covered court as Mayor Antolin Oreta III directed the local Department of Social Services and Development to assist the affected families with the basic services they needed.

The affected families are now appealing for assistance from the government now that Christmas is fast approaching.