Fire destroys 40 houses in Caloocan

Manila, Philippines -  A fire of still unknown origin broke out in Barangay 17, Caloocan City before noon yesterday, destroying around 40 houses.

Senior Fire Officer 2 Ruel Dacanay said the blaze started at around 10:58 a.m. along P. Zamora street and reached fifth alarm before firefighters put it under control at about 12:51 p.m.

As of press time yesterday, Dacanay said firemen were still conducting a “mopping up” operation to finally put out the flames.

“No report yet whether there were casualties or how the fire started. Our arson probers are still in the field,” Dacanay told The STAR.

Danny de la Cruz, a resident of Barangay 17, said two explosions were heard before the fire spread in the densely populated neighborhood. He said a lamppost near the railroad tracks burst into flames, “followed by another explosion when a power transformer was swallowed by fire.”

He said if the fire occurred at night, “it would be another story because this place is thickly populated.”

Susan Mariano, another resident, said the narrow alleys prevented firetrucks from reaching the burning houses.