Firemen race across American Cemetery to reach Taguig blaze

Firemen had to cut their way through the fence of the American Cemetery to reach the blaze that left some 200 families homeless in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, shortly past midnight Wednesday.

The three-hour fire razed over 100 houses in a squatters’ area. No one was reported killed or injured, while police placed the cost of the damage at P10 million.

Firefighters from Taguig and Makati City had difficulty entering the area through a narrow street, and were forced to enter the American Cemetery to get to the neighborhood.

Residents recalled hearing explosions, believed to be that of cooking gas tanks, before the blaze spread. “It was pandemonium,” said Ruth Valencia, one of those who lost their homes, who only managed to save some clothes as her two-story house went up in flames.

An initial investigation by the Taguig fire department said the fire may have started from the house of Gloria Jaca, who was said to be cooking at the time.

Most of the displaced families were forced to spend the hours till daybreak on the streets and vacant lots.

Also on Wednesday, another fire struck a mid-rise building on Sta. Cruz, Manila, near the city jail.

SPO3 John Hayligue said the fire, which mainly engulfed the roof deck of Judy Rey Building, started at 12:35 p.m. and was placed under control an hour later. No one was reported hurt; damage was placed at P300,000.—Noli A. Ermitanio and Nancy C. Carvajal