Fire razes 30 houses in Mandaluyong

MANILA, Philippines - A fire caused by faulty electrical wiring destroyed at least 30 houses and displaced at least 63 families in Mandaluyong City yesterday.

Rodrigo Magtabog, 24, was injured while he was helping put out the fire that broke out at a residential compound along Halcon street in Barangay Barangka at around 2:25 p.m. He was released after being treated at a hospital.

Firefighters estimated the property damage at P400,000.

District fire marshal Superintendent Felixberto Abrenica could not say where the fire started but claimed it was caused by faulty electrical wiring.

Firefighters from Mandaluyong and its neighboring cities battled the fire, which reached second alarm at around 3 p.m. The fire was put out less than an hour later.

The compound was located at the back of the Rizal Technological University but it was not clear if the school sent its students home.

The affected residents were given shelter at the barangay hall compound.