18 hurt in Makati slum area fire

More than a dozen persons were injured in a fire that razed a slum area in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City early Sunday morning.

Three of those hurt – identified as Roberto Morales, 30; Jurifel Cardenas, 30; and Erwin Gayon, 26 – were brought to the Ospital ng Makati (Osmak) for second-degree burns and lacerations.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Francisco Sergio said at least 15 others suffered minor injuries and were given first aid treatment by Makati rescue personnel.

He said the fire destroyed more than 100 homes and displaced around 250 families.

“They are now being housed at the San Carlos Seminary,” Sergio told The STAR. He confirmed that one resident was invited for questioning since the blaze allegedly started at her house.

He said the fire started at around 2:36 a.m. and was finally put out more than three hours later at around 6:03 a.m.

More than two dozen firetrucks from the Makati Fire Department, and volunteers from Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa responded after the fire alarm reached Task Force Delta

The fire victims occupied part of EDSA’s southbound lane, causing traffic to slow to a crawl in the area.

The city government of Makati is expected to extend assistance to victims who were hurt in the fire, as well as those who lost their homes.