Aircon overheats, triggers fire in Valenzuela

A six-door apartment was razed when an overheated air-conditioning unit exploded, triggering an hour-long blaze before noon yesterday in Valenzuela City.

Arson investigators said the fire destroyed a two-story building owned by Zenaida Gonzales at the corner of Tagumpay and Hernandez streets, Sto. Niño Compound in Barangay Marulas.

No one was hurt in the incident.

Fire Officer 2 Nelson Baguinon said the blaze started inside the unit occupied by one Evelyn Sebastian at around 10:30 a.m.

Witnesses said a loud explosion, which was caused by an overheating aircon, was heard from the building, followed by thick black smoke.

Fire spread rapidly to the five other apartment units. It reached the fourth alarm before firemen put it under control at around 11:22 a.m. – Pete Laude, Jerry Botial