Fire razes Valenzuela textile factory

MANILA, Philippines - A man died of a heart atttack when a fire broke out at a textile warehouse in Valenzuela City yesterday, two months after a blaze razed the Kentex slipper factory that killed at least 74 workers.

The fire struck Larry’s Curtain warehouse along Cabanatuan street in Barangay Ugong at 11:45 a.m., city public information officer Rhay Sousa said.

No workers were trapped in the burning warehouse. But Nestor Crisostomo, 45, reportedly panicked at the height of the fire and suffered a heart attack.

The city’s rescue team rushed Crisostomo to the Valenzuela Medical Center but he was declared dead on arrival.

The fire reached Task Force Bravo at 12:37 p.m. More than 10 fire trucks responded to contain the blaze.

It was declared under control at 2:55 p.m.

Arson probers said the fire was caused by a spark from welding work in the factory.

Mayor Rex Gatchalian said Henry Ong, owner of the textile factory, failed to secure a permit from the Bureau of Fire Protection.

“Apparently, the owners of factories in Valenzuela did not learn a lesson from the Kentex tragedy,” Gatchalian said.