Fire engulfs home of Arroyo’s ex-military aide

Former president and representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with retired Philippine Army General Lieutenant General Alberto Braganza. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A former senior military aide of Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was among at least 30 families affected when flames engulfed a residential area in Quezon City’s Roxas district before noon Saturday.

The fire that erupted at 10:07 a.m. swept through at least 15 houses just as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) kicked off its annual fire prevention month drive, said Senior Fire Officer 3 Mauricio Jose of the Quezon City Fire Department.

The house of retired Philippine Army General Lieutenant General Alberto Braganza, a former senior military aide to then president Arroyo, was among those gutted by fire on Magnolia Street, Jose told INQUIRER.net.

Radio reports said Braganza and his family were unhurt.

Jose said the blaze erupted following a motorcade of firetrucks on Quezon City Circle as part of the BFP’s observance of the 48th Fire Prevention Month along Quezon City circle.

The blaze was put out at 11:50 a.m.

Because the houses were made of wood, it was difficult for the firefighters to contain the fire, prompting the city fire department to deploy 12 firetrucks.

No casualties were reported while the cause of fire has yet to be determined.  Damage to property was estimated at P1 million.

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