Weeks before Christmas, at least 27 families or 115 individuals lost their homes in a two-hour fire that leveled several residential structures in San Juan City Tuesday afternoon.
SFO1 Edwin Binwag, investigator from the San Juan City Fire Station, said the fire broke out in a slum area located at Remigio corner San Perfecto streets in barangay San Perfecto around 2:42 pm.
The fire reached third alarm before it was declared out at around 4:02 pm.
At least six individuals were injured and suffered minor lacerations and bruises, while two vomited because of the smoke, he added.
The cost of damage amount to P675,000, Binwag said.
Binwag said it took the volunteers more time to put out the fire because of the congested area and the narrow streets. There were 55 fire trucks which responded during the incident.
The cause of fire is still under investigation but residents and witnesses told probers the fire could have started on the second floor of the house being occupied by a certain Ramir Leceta, 49.
Most of the affected families are currently staying at the San Perfecto barangay hall. /jpv
RELATED STORY
Fire breaks out at San Juan residential area