Slum infernos kill 10 in QC, Valenzuela

Ten people were killed and over 500 families were displaced by shantytown fires that raged simultaneously in Valenzuela and Quezon City before dawn Friday.

Nine of the fatalities were tenants of a three-story residential building that went up in flames in Barangay Damayang Lagi, New Manila, Quezon City.

The city fire department identified the dead as relatives Paul Gomez, 54; Omar Gomez, 27; Louie Gomez, 7; and Glaiza Gomez, 22; Mary Ann de la Cruz, 40; Maria Victoria de la Cruz, 19; Elvira de la Cruz, 13; and Juralyn Bulalacao, 25, and her 2-year-old daughter Ashley.

The blaze started around 12:15 a.m. in a second-floor bedroom of the building owned by Elsa Jama at 20 12th Street. Made of wood and light materials, the structure’s second and third floors easily burned down, trapping the victims.

The inferno spread to about 50 more houses of mostly informal settlers.

Quezon City fire marshal Supt.

Jesus Fernandez said around 120 families had been affected by the time the fire was declared out three hours later. Investigators were looking at an electrical short circuit as the possible cause of the fire, he added.

At least seven people were injured, including firefighter Florian Almonte who sustained first-degree burns and residents Lino Iglopas, 56, and Danny Dalumpines, 66, who suffered second-degree burns.

In Valenzuela City, resident Wilbert Silahis died after jumping into a creek from the second floor of a burning building in Western Lingahan, Malanday. The 30-year-old Silahis was listed as a drowning victim.

At least 400 families were affected by the fire that started at 11:16 p.m. Thursday on the ground floor of a building owned by Ramon Nebreda on Residential Road I. Firefighters took until 5 a.m. Friday to put out the blaze.

Damage to property was estimated at P4 million, according to Fire Officer Patrick Salazar. Erika Sauler and Jodee A. Agoncillo; Ruel Perez, Radyo Inquirer