5-year-old boy killed in QC fire

MANILA, Philippines -  A five-year-old boy was charred after being trapped in a burning house during a five-hour fire in Quezon City that also left 2,000 families homeless Monday night through yesterday morning.

The charred remains of Manny Martinez was recovered from what was left of his family’s house that was among the 500 homes that burned in Barangay Bahay Toro.

Arson investigator Fire Officer 2 Jess Gealon said the victim was believed to have been trapped inside the house after he was left behind by his family during the commotion.

Six other residents were also injured in the incident: Claro Dequina, 40, who sustained back shoulder burns; Jay-ar Sevilla, 22, with a puncture wound in the left arm; Nestor Concepcion, 39, who had his right arm burned; Manolo Arcega, 48, who had a laceration in his left back; Florencio Arcega, 42, with abrasion in his extremities and burned arms; and Alpha Purificacion, 6, who suffered from hyperthermia.

Gealon said the flames started at the second floor of the house of Carlito Mabutin at No. 98 Sinagtala Homes, Barangay Bahay Toro. But he said investigation is still ongoing on the cause of the fire.

The fire was first reported at around 9:13 p.m. Monday and reached the alarm of Task Force Delta.

Firefighters were able to place the flames under control at around 12:25 a.m. yesterday and put out the last flames at 2:37 a.m.

Around 2,000 families were rendered homeless because of the fire that destroyed some P10 million worth of properties.