P20-M fires hit Caloocan, Valenzuela

Two separate fires hit the northern part of Metro Manila yesterday, killing one person and razing over a hundred houses, including one garments warehouse. Fire authorities estimated total damages at around P20-million in goods and properties.

The first incident occurred in Caloocan City when more than a hundred houses went up in smoke in Maypajo around 1:30 p.m. killing Amelia Bismonte, 65, of 145 L. Lupa St., Caloocan City. Her charred body was found on the first floor of their house.

PO2 Alfredo Santos, officer-on-case, said the fire, which broke out in the house of one Julieta Ibasco, destroyed some P10 million in properties. The two-hour blaze was contained at about 5:17 p.m. Thursday. Firefighters encountered difficulty in putting out the fire because of the narrow alleys.

In Valenzuela City, a seven-hour fire also des-troyed a warehouse of the Basic Garments Manufacturing owned by one Benito Chua, 55, a Filipino-Chinese businessman. The warehouse was located at 55 E. Pablo St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela.

SFO2 Dionisio dela Cruz, arson investigator, said the fire started at about 11:45 p.m. but was completely put out only at 6:45 a.m. because of the highly combustible nature of materials kept in the warehouse.

Initial investigation showed Chua’s housemaid, Anita Andres, 35, noticed thick smoke coming out from a stockroom that quickly engulfed the warehouse.

Both incidents are still being investigated to determine their origins.