2 die as fires hit Tondo, Paco

Two people were killed while another was wounded in two fires that struck residential areas in Paco and Tondo, Manila shortly before midnight Monday and early yesterday morning.

Reports from the Manila Fire Department identified the fatalities as Bebencia Lastinado, 89; and her daughter-in-law Jocelyn Mastag Lastinado, 21, Tondo residents. Injured was Ryan Poligratis, 18, of 1323 P. Burgos St., Paco, Manila.

The first fire struck at 11:08 p.m. Monday along Mabuhay street in Tondo, near Road 10. Razed by the fire of still unknown origin were a row of shanties, including the one owned by Jocelyn Lastinado who was killed on the spot after being pinned-down by smoldering debris.

Senior Fire Officer 4 Wilredo San Juan said the elder Lastinado was also killed after she rushed to her daughter-in-law’s shanty and attempted to help her save some of her furniture. According to reports, the elder Lastinado was also pinned-down by falling debris.

Firefighters from various stations in Manila rushed to the scene to control the fire which reached Task Force Alpha alarm level. The fire was placed under control at 11:33 p.m. and was declared out by 11:50 a.m.

Two hours later, a fire of still undetermined origin razed another row of houses in Paco. Injured in the blaze was a certain Ryan Poligratis, 18, of 1323 P. Burgos St. The fire which reached the 5th alarm level, started at 1:58 a.m. and was put out by responding firemen at 3:02 a.m. Damage to property caused by the two fires are still being determined by arson investigators. – Mike Frialde