20 homes razed in Port Area blaze

Twenty houses were gutted after an hour-long fire broke out in a residential area at the Port Area in Manila amid the heavy rains and strong winds yesterday.

Arson investigators were still confirming as of press time a report that one person was killed in the blaze that hit Area 8, Farola Compound in North Harbor, Port Area.

Inspector Abraham Gomez, chief of the Delpan Police community precinct, said total damage caused by the fire was estimated at more than a million pesos.

Probers are also checking on a report that electrical wires fell on the rooftop of one of the houses, causing the blaze. Fire officers said the blaze was out at 3:30 p.m.

In Sta. Cruz, Manila, two men, including a senior fire officer, were hurt in a 45-minute fire at a residential apartment.

Fire Officer 3 Jojo Magallanes, arson investigator of Manila Fire Department, identified the victims as Senior Fire Officer Danilo Galang and Romeo Gutierrez, an occupant of one of the apartments. Gutierrez suffered second degree burn on his face. He was rushed to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

Probers said the fire started at 10:22 a.m. yesterday at a two-storey apartment on Makata street, Sta. Cruz.

Magallanes said the cause of the fire, which reached Task Force Bravo, has yet to be determined. – Edu Punay