Angry residents beat up firefighters in Caloocan

Four firefighters, including two Fil-Chinese volunteers, were injured when they were ganged upon by a mob of residents even as firefighting equipment were allegedly robbed by unidentified persons in a P10-million fire that razed a residential area Wednesday night in Caloocan City.

At least 60 houses were destroyed when the fire of still unknown origin broke out at a residential area at the corner of Gen. Tirona and J. de Jesus streets in Bagong Barrio at around 9:55 p.m.

Firefighters had to contend not only with the raging inferno but with furious residents who turned on them for allegedly being selective in performing their duties.

Caloocan City Fire Marshal Chief Inspector Agapito Nacario said the assault and theft delayed the firefighting operations and contributed to the destruction of more homes which lasted some 10 hours before it was declared fire-out.

Nacario identified the injured as SFO1 Roberto Mendoza and FO2 Mario Bagaman of the local fire station and sustained bruises and contusions as shown by a medical report signed by Ospital ng Caloocan medico-legal officer Dr. Ma. Luisa Crisostomo. The two other fire volunteers have not been identified allegedly "due to the commotion that followed" the assault. The firefighters claimed they lost two sets of hoses and nozzles worth over P10,000 each.

Nacario, in a memo to city police chief Senior Superintendent Benjardi Mantele, has sought police assistance in identifying and apprehending the unruly mob. The victims said they can identify the culprits if they see them again.

SFO3 Randy Resurreccion, chief of the Arson and Intelligence and Investigation Unit, Caloocan BFP, said the fire broke out at around 9:55 p.m. Shortly thereafter, the firefighters of Engine 47, including Mendoza and Bagaman were attacked, beaten up and the fire hoses and nozzles taken away by unidentified persons all under the influence of liquor. The government properties remain missing after they took it away. This incident, they claimed, stopped the operation for sometime resulting in the further escalation of the fire. While the fire was contained at around 2:15 a.m. yesterday, the blaze was declared fire-out only at 7:25 yesterday morning.

Sources said the irate mob turned on the hapless firemen because they were allegedly training their hoses on the nearby garments and lingerie factory instead of their already threatened or already burning houses. Resurreccion denied the allegations saying the factory was far from the burning area.

Nacario said appropriate charges are being readied against the perpetrators.