Trader killed in paint store fire

A 52-year-old businessman was killed after he was trapped inside his burning paint store yesterday morning in Malabon City.

Edgardo Angeles, owner of Angeles Marketing Corp., was found dead by firefighters on the ground floor of a two-story building at 361 Bernales II corner Luna streets in Barangay Baritan.

Angeles, a native of Imus, Cavite, failed to escape from the one-hour blaze that started at around 7:37 a.m. and quickly engulfed his store.

Arson investigator Senior Fire Officer 2 Albino Torres said the blaze started inside Angeles’ store and immediately reached the stocks of paint cans and bottled thinner.

The fire grew rapidly and spread to the entire structure, but firefighters were able to prevent it from reaching adjacent buildings.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Manuel Ortega sustained lacerations on his right arm after he was hit by flying debris while battling the blaze.

Firemen put the blaze under control at around 8:38 a.m.

Arson probers are yet to determine the origin of the blaze which caused an estimated damage of some P1 million. – Pete Laude, Jerry Botial