PCO chief’s house razed by fire

MANILA, Philippines — The house of Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil was among the residences razed by a fire that broke out in Quezon City on Wednesday night.

The fire at New Capital Estate 1 in Barangay Batasan Hills started at around 8:38 p.m. and reached first alarm, city fire marshal Senior Superintendent Flor-Ian Guerrero said in a report.

Firefighters doused the fire at around 10:44 p.m.

A South Korean man suffered third degree burns, according to Guerrero.

A public safety officer in the barangay said four houses, including that of Garafil, were burned.

The officer said they have yet to determine the exact number of families affected by the fire.

Arson probers said they are conducting an investigation to determine what caused the fire.

In Barangay Payatas, a  31-year-old woman was injured after a fire razed a house on Wednesday.

The woman was treated for second degree burns, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)’s National Capital Region field office.

The blaze started at around 9 a.m. and reached first alarm before it was put out before 9:30 a.m.

100 families homeless

In Manila, at least 100 families were left homeless and seven people were injured when a fire struck shanties in Sta. Cruz yesterday.

Manila fire marshal Superintendent Christine Doctor-Cula said the blaze started at the two-story house owned by Eliseo Apalacio along Fugoso street.

Fourteen fire trucks from the BFP and 20 others from volunteer groups helped put out the flames.

Around 200 people were displaced by the fire, the BFP said. Damage to property was placed at P50,000.

One of the fire victims mourned the death of his four dogs in the incident.

The fire also prompted the suspension of classes at the nearby Antonio Regidor Elementary School.