Fireman Nicanor Josef sustained burns and other injuries while battling the blaze. The three other victims were identified as Felix Lucino, April Ann Santos and Analita Albano.
Senior Inspector Antonio Razal, chief of the Marikina City Bureau of Fire Protection, said the fire started at the house of one Zenaida Robles located at Block 13, Balubad NHA, in Barangay Nangka at about 9:39 p.m. last Thursday.
Initial investigation showed that the fire was started by an unattended candle.
Razal said electricity had been cut in the barangay two days earlier.
The entire neighborhood tried to put out the fire using pails and other water containers, but failed. Strong winds spread quickly to adjacent houses made of light materials, Razal he said.
When local firemen arrived at the scene, the fire had engulfed some five houses. Firemen had difficulty going near the fire because of the heavy volume of residents coming in and out the area to salvage their personal belongings.
Firemen coming from neighboring cities and municipalities arrived and joined the local firefighters in battling the blaze, which was put out at around 11:40 p.m. The fire reached Task Force Delta.
According to Razal, at least 50 houses were destroyed by the fire which displaced some 75 families.
The affected families were temporarily evacuated at the barangay hall and a government school in the area. — Non Alquitran