1 dead, 100 homes gone in Caloocan fire

A midday fire destroyed about 100 homes and killed a 27-year-old man on Saturday in Monumento, Caloocan City.

Police and relatives said the victim, who was last seen drinking liquor the night before, was probably still asleep when the fire started and was trapped inside his house as the inferno spread in the neighborhood.

Authorities identified the fatality as Jason Dado of Calaanan Street. His cousin, Carlos Dado, said Jason, who often arrived home from work late at night, had a few drinks inside his house before going to sleep on Friday.

The blaze started from the two-story house of Silvia Paclian and raged for about two and a half hours before it was declared out, according to the city’s fire marshal, Supt. Roel Jeremy Diaz.

About 100 houses made of light materials were destroyed. Diaz estimated the damage at P3 million.

The families rendered homeless have taken shelter in a nearby covered basketball court. Kristine Felisse Mangunay