Metrobriefs
20 families lose homes in Makati fire
A fire hit a residential area in Barangay West Rembo in Makati City Friday afternoon, leaving more than 20 families homeless. Makati fire marshal Richard Perdigon said they were still conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the blaze.
There were reports that the fire started after some children were seen playing with matches. But arson investigators said they have yet to verify the information.
Perdigon said at least 11 houses at Teachers’ Compound along Kalayaan Street were razed by the fire. “We needed the help of firefighters from other Metro Manila areas,” he said, adding that more than 40 fire trucks responded to their call.
Perdigon said they had difficulty putting out the fire because of narrow streets leading to the site of the blaze. The fire, which started at 3:54 p.m. at the third floor of an apartment, was put out at 4:44 p.m. The location of the fire was in the vicinity of University of Makati and Fort Bonifacio High School, prompting school officials to evacuate the students.
No one was reported injured in the incident. The cost of damage to property was pegged at P5 million. Tina G. Santos
Check condo security, police chief warns
Mandaluyong City police chief, Senior Supt. Armando Bolalin on Friday urged security officials of condominiums in the city to tighten their security and install closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) in their areas after the stabbing of a Miss Earth 2008 title holder on Thursday.
The incident happened around 5:45 a.m. at the California Garden Square Condominium in Mandaluyong City. Karla Paula Henry, 25, had just parked her car and was on her way to her unit when someone stabbed her in the back using a shard of a beer bottle.
A closed circuit TV camera caught an image of the suspect, Jherome Quibuyen, who was reportedly drunk. He is now detained at the Mandaluyong police station. Niña Calleja
