1 killed, 600 homeless in Baseco fire

MANILA, Philippines — A man died while around 600 families were displaced when a fire razed a residential area in Baseco, Manila, from Tuesday night until early Wednesday.

According to a report from the Manila Fire District (MFD) arson unit, the blaze broke out at 11:19 p.m. and reached Task Force Bravo shortly after midnight.

It was put out at 2:48 a.m.

Authorities identified the fatality as Gino Escobedo, a 42-year-old jeepney driver. The victim was reportedly drunk when the fire broke out so he failed to get out of his house, said Fire Supt. Roberto Samillano Jr., MFD deputy fire marshal.

Two more people suffered minor injuries. The blaze started on the second floor of a two-story structure at Block 15A, Baseco Compound.

It destroyed over 300 houses and displaced around 600 families.

Authorities estimated the damage to property at around P2 million. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

—Nikka G. Valenzuela