MANILA, Philippines — Fire hit a residential area early Thursday, Christmas Day, in Barangay West Rembo in Makati, leaving at least 11 families homeless.
Senior Insp. Tito Purgatorio, chief arson investigator of the Makati Fire Department, said the fire started at the house of a certain Jerry Calimag on Balagtas Street at around 2:23 a.m.
Initial investigation showed the fire started at the second floor and quickly spread to adjacent houses, which are mostly made of light materials.
The fire reached the third alarm at 2:25 am. Fire fighters were able to put out the blaze around 3:05 am.
No one was reported injured during the blaze that razed eight houses, where all 53 individuals are residing.
Arson investigators are looking at the possibility that faulty electrical wiring triggered the fire.
Purgatorio said the fire left at least P1 million in damages