1 dead in QC blaze

One man died while at least 20 families were left homeless after a fire hit a squatters’ area in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City yesterday.

Renato Cunanan, 45, a cook and resident of 30 Ilang-Ilang street, died of a heart attack as his family hauled their belongings and retreated to safety as the blaze threatened to reach their house.

Fire Officer 3 Fortunato Alde, officer-on-case, said the fire broke out at around 11:25 a.m. at a house on Lily street.

Alde said the blaze originated from the second floor of the two-story house. It immediately spread to neighboring houses, which were made of light materials.

"There was no one in the house when the fire started. Everyone was at work," Alde said.

According to the investigator, the fire reached the fourth alarm and needed at least 10 fire trucks to be contained. Firemen had difficulty putting out the fire as fire trucks could not pass through the alleys to get near the affected area.

Firefighters declared a fire out around 12:27 p.m.

Fire probers have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire. – Katherine Adraneda