4 hurt in Pasig blaze

Four people were hurt and more than 400 families were left homeless when a fire hit a squatters’ area in Pasig City last Friday.

Fire investigators said overloaded electrical connections was the cause of the two-hour fire that destroyed at  least 200 houses. Damage to property was placed at P5 million.

Injured in the blaze were Mario Indiano, 42, who sustained first degree burns; Dia Mael, 23, head injury; Heidi Mungcal, 23, fractured bones; and a fire volunteer identified as James Lawig, was hurt after a burning piece of wood fell on him.

Fire investigator Salvador Norberto Jr. said the fire started at a shanty owned by a certain Eliseo Goyon located at the corner of Caliwag and Esguerra streets in Barangay Pinagbuhatan at 4:30 p.m.

"Nakarinig ako ng putok tapos bigla na lang  nagliyab ang wire hanggang lumaki na ang apoy at nadamay na lahat," he said.

The fire, which reached Task Force Delta, was declared fire-out at 6:18 p.m.

Affected families were temporarily relocated to the Damayan covered court in Barangay Pinagbuhatan.