6 hurt in Pasig fire

MANILA, Philippines - Six persons, including a firefighter, were injured in a fire that destroyed 500 houses in Pasig City yesterday morning.

The victims, whose names were not immediately available, were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Arson investigators said more than 1,200 people were left homeless in the blaze that reportedly started at the house of Rina Dolor in Bolante 2, Barangay Pinagbuhatan at around 9 a.m.

Reports said the fire, which was reportedly sparked by an unattended gas stove, spread to other houses made of light materials.

Residents tried but failed to put out the blaze as responding firefighters had difficulty penetrating the area.

Fire Officer 3 Marvic Amasona said several liquefied petroleum gas tanks exploded at the height of the blaze, which also destroyed a flea market.

The firemen asked the help of an Air Force helicopter to fight the blaze.

Amasona said the fire reached general alarm at about 10:30 a.m. and was put out at around 1:25 p.m.

Meanwhile, another firefighter was injured in a fire that destroyed a seven-story commercial building in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Ohedio Asoy was taken to the Dr. Fe del Mundo Medical Center after he suffered burns on his face.

 City fire marshal Jesus Fernandez said the blaze started at around 12:15 a.m. on the second floor of the Gateway 2000 Development Corp. along G. Araneta Avenue in Barangay Tatalon.

Paints and thinners were reportedly stored on the floor.

It took 42 fire trucks and 210 firemen to control the blaze that lasted 15 hours, Fernandez said. 

He said firefighters had to wear breathing devices and destroy the windows to penetrate the building.

Firewalls prevented the flames from spreading to nearby establishments. – With Robertzon Ramirez