Fires hit residential areas in Manila

Fires successively hit two densely populated districts of Manila yesterday, just 17 days before the observation of the Fire Prevention Month next month.

The first fire was reported in Tondo at about 11 a.m. which struck a two-storey residential building at the corner of Kagitingan and Padre Rada streets.

The building owned by Vicente Jadion was reportedly being rented by the Rosales family, whose members were out of the house at the time of the fire.

Witnesses said they noticed thick smoke coming from one of the rooms on the second floor.

Neighbors tried to extinguish the fire through water pails.

The fire reached the fifth alarm before it was finally put out at around 12:05 p.m., according to arson investigator SFO1 Gaudencio Magallanes.

Two hours later, another fire of still undetermined origin struck a three-door apartment row in Sampaloc.

The fire reportedly originated from the rear portion of an apartment located at 1919 Dapitan street in Sampaloc.

The unit was reportedly occupied by one Imelda Contis.

"Napansin na lang na nag-aapoy na ang likod ng apartment. Inaalam pa namin kung ano ang dahilan ng biglang pag-apoy," Magallanes told The STAR.

Magallanes added that the timely arrival of firefighters prevented the fire from spreading.

"Likuran lang at parte ng itaas ng apartment ang naapektuhan ng sunog," Magallanes said.

The fire reached the third alarm and was placed under control some 30 minutes later.

No one was reported hurt in both fires.

Damage to property was initially placed at P450,000 for the two fires.