Tondo fires leave 40 families homeless

At least 40 families found themselves homeless this Christmas after two fires hit separate areas in Tondo, Manila.

The first fire broke out Sunday at around 7:35 p.m. at a two-story apartment owned by Rodolfo Fajardo along Sevilla street. Arson investigator SFO2 Emmanuel Gaspar said the fire started at the second floor, occupied by a certain Alma Aquino.

Two other houses were razed before the fire was put out at 8:20 p.m.

At around 12 midnight yesterday, another fire broke out at a row of shanties along the railroad tracks at the corner of Hermosa and Pilar streets.

Gaspar said the fire originated at a two-story shanty owned by a certain “Aling Bebeng.” The fire immediately spread to 20 nearby houses made of light materials before it was finally extinguished at around 12:56 a.m.

Gaspar said the fire could have been caused by illegal electrical connections in the area. No one was reported injured in both fires.

Property damage from both fires was placed at P200,000. – Nestor Etolle