Fire destroys 60 houses in Malabon

MANILA, Philippines - At least 60 houses were destroyed and two residents were hurt when a fire of still unknown origin broke out in the middle of a slum area in Barangay Tugatog, Malabon City before dawn yesterday.

Fire Officer 1 Kirby Banglos said Edgar Tan was hospitalized for second-degree burns while Fernando Briones was electrocuted but both are in stable condition.

Tan was hit by burning debris while trying to save some of their belongings while Briones was electrocuted when he accidentally touched an open electrical wire.

Banglos said a fire started at the house of Nonilon Aljas on Dulong Bronze street in Barangay Tugatog at nearly 2 a.m. and quickly spread to adjacent houses. It took firefighters using 28 firetrucks nearly four hours to put it out.

More than 100 families were left homeless by the fire, which destroyed around P600,000 worth of property, he said.