Mandaluyong folk reel from city’s worst fire in years

FACING A HOMELESS CHRISTMAS About 300 of the 2,000 families displaced by Wednesday’s fire in Mandaluyong City find shelter at Jose Fabella Integrated School. Niño Jesus Orbeta

“We lost everything but the clothes on our backs,” said Villamer Romeo, tearing up as he, his live-in partner Edlyn and their five-year-old son shared a sheet of carton on a tiny space inside a school gymnasium, one of the evacuation centers for families displaced Wednesday by the worst fire to hit Mandaluyong City in years.

Matilde Agustin, 59, said she narrowly escaped with her daughter-in-law and four grandchildren as the blaze engulfed their home. “We rushed out as soon as we could,” she said, adding she fled carrying her youngest grandchild, a one-year-old girl.

The family only managed to salvage a few meager possessions including some clothes and a small statue of the infant Jesus.

Authorities said the fire that raged for 10 hours and swept across a shantytown on Molave Street, Barangay Addition Hills, left some 2,000 families homeless.

Residents joined forces with firefighters to battle the blaze which spread quickly among the narrow alleys, smashing down the walls of makeshift houses to allow crews access to the flames. A military helicopter had to be deployed to dump water on burning neighborhoods after firetrucks could not reach the heart of the inferno.

There were no reported deaths but at least six people were injured. Among them was Manny Camposano, the owner of the house where the fire started due to an electrical short circuit, according to the city fire marshal, Chief Supt. Nahum Tarroza.

Camposano and fellow residents Anita and Anna Liza Gapate suffered burns, Gillen Desembrano and Mark Cruz suffered cuts on their legs and feet, while Jun Jun Esponilla sustained head and leg injuries after being hit by a firetruck.

“It’s the biggest fire in the history of Mandaluyong,” said Jimmy Isidro, the city’s public information office chief. “Mayor Benhur Abalos has asked the city council to pass a resolution that will enable the victims to receive financial assistance. We are still looking at an amount, which will come from our emergency fund.”

City Hall began handing out food, water, medicines and clothes to the evacuees. About 985 families, including Romeo’s, were sheltered at Andres Bonifacio Integrated School (ABIS) gymnasium, 331 families at Jose Fabella Integrated School, and the rest at the city’s Botanical Garden.

“But we are still checking if all those staying here were really victims of the fire. There may be some who just put their names in the list to get government assistance,” said Reyner Reyes, a social worker posted at the ABIS gym.

According to Robert Ramirez Boado, another social worker, the affected area was part of a property donated to the national government. “Our social workers are validating through interviews (who are the real) house owners, sharers or renters,” he said.

Dr. Delia Arcangel of the city health office said medical personnel would be working in shifts to attend to the evacuees. With a report from AFP