Fire razes house of barangay chief

A fire of still undetermined origin razed a three-storey residential-factory building yesterday afternoon in Caloocan City.

Caloocan City fire marshal Chief Inspector Juan Reyes said the house and commercial building owned by Barangay Concepcion chairman Danilo Garalde of Gen. Concepcion St. in Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City burned down for some two hours before it was put out by responding firefighters from various places.

The chairman’s house also served as office and store.

Garalde supplied materials for the manufacture of rubber slippers and shoes.

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri, who rushed to the scene in a T-shirt and denim pants, also tried to lend a hand in putting out the fire.

Reyes said they are still to determine the damage wrought by the fire that broke out at around 2:35 p.m. yesterday.

The fire was brought under control at 3 p.m. and officially declared out at 3:40 p.m.– Jerry Botial