5 hurt in Davao del Sur village fire

MALALAG, Davao del Sur, Philippines—Five persons were injured when a fire hit a neighborhood in Baybay village here early Sunday, authorities said.

Senior Inspector Arnold Razonable, Malalag police chief, identified those injured in the 2:55 a.m. fire as Roger Nacional and his helpers Dian de la Cerna, Jay Boreros, Arian Domingo and Dexter Alod.

He said the victims were all asleep in Nacional’s house and store when the fire started.

The victims were roused from their sleep and rushed out of the house. They sustained minor injuries while trying to save themselves, Razonable said.

The fire, he said, quickly spread to nearby structures and gutted seven more houses before it was put under control with the help of fire engines from nearby towns.

Insp. Joey Lape, Malalag fire investigator, said the fire damaged some P4 million in properties.

Lape said that based on their investigation, the fire was caused by electrical short circuit.