BATANGAS, Philippines – A disabled sexagenarian was killed and at least 20 families were left homeless as three fires struck residential areas in Batangas City and Lipa City on Tuesday, police said.
Senior Superintendent Omega Jireh Fidel, Batangas police director, said 60-year-old Nestor Bautista died when a fire caused by an overheated electric fan razed 20 houses of informal settlers in Barangay Sta. Clara, Batangas City past 3 p.m. Tuesday. Five classrooms of the Sta. Clara Elementary School were also gutted.
Three hours earlier, another fire razed the house of one Susan Dagatan in Barangay Cuta, also in Batangas City.
In Lipa City, a fire broke out at the junk shop of businessman Janus Cubilla. The blaze started at the quarters of the shop’s workers.