Muntinlupa blaze razes 500 homes

Some 1,000 families living along the tracks of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) lost their houses and valuables early yesterday morning during a seven-hour fire in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

Jun Diascos, radio operator at the Muntinlupa Fire Department, said the blaze at Purok 8 Joaquin Compound, PNR site, Alabang Muntinlupa broke out at around 1:53 a.m. yesterday, but was immediately controlled by 4:35 a.m. However, it took the firefighters until 7:35 a.m. to put off the blaze.

Since most of the 500 affected shanties were made of combustible materials such as plywood and cardboard, firefighters encountered difficulty in controlling the blaze.

The fire reached the general alarm, promting some 20 firetrucks from nearby fire districts as well as fire volunteers to extend assistance. The cost of damage to property was estimated at P2.5 million.

Although no one was reportedly hurt in the fire, the Muntinlupa Fire Station said a certain Rogelio Ofring, a resident of Purok 8, was mauled by his neighbors because the fire allegedly originated from his home.

In Makati City, a man who relied on a candle as his lone source of light died in a blaze that destroyed his home yesterday morning.

Authorities identified the fatality as Leonardo Concha, 59, of 1672 Caton street, Barangay La Paz.

His body was discovered on the second floor of the house, which was only two by three meters small. – Evelyn Macairan, Nikko Dizon