Firemen had their hands full Thursday afternoon, battling two big blazes that broke out in residential areas in Makati City and Cainta, Rizal.
At least 15 to 20 houses were destroyed in the fire that hit a row of houses beside the Pasig River in Barangay (village) Poblacion, Makati, at 2:01 p.m.
An illegal electrical connection or jumper was being blamed for the blaze that reportedly started in the house of Emiliano Bricio on Bonifacio Street. City fire marshal Ricardo Perdigon, however, said the claim has yet to be verified by arson investigators.
Fanned by a strong wind coming from Pasig River, the flames spread to adjacent houses before crossing over to nearby Mabini Street.
The fire reached Task Force Bravo before it was put out at 3:15 p.m. None of the residents or firemen was reported hurt or killed.
At press time, firefighters were still trying to put out the blaze that started in the residential area of Floodway at Barangay San Andres in Cainta, Rizal, at 4:30 p.m.
At 5:40 p.m., the alarm was raised to Task Force Alpha, according to FO1 Aldrin Reyes. No casualties had been reported, he told the Inquirer.—Jaymee T. Gamil and Kristine Felisse Mangunay