Manila Fire District starts probe of Sta. Cruz blaze

Residents scamper to save what is left of their belongings during a fire that hit a residential area on Oroqueta corner Doroteo Jose Streets in Sta. Cruz, Manila. INQUIRER.net photo / Julius N. Leonen

The Manila Fire District has started its investigation into the fire that struck Sta. Cruz, Manila on Friday and left almost 500 families homeless. The houses in the affected area are made of mostly light materials.

According to arson investigator Senior Fire Officer Sany Lacuban, probers are still tracing the cause of the fire on Oroquieta Street corner Doroteo Jose, which was raised to Task Force Bravo.

Initial investigation showed that the fire started at around 7 p.m. and was declared under control by midnight on Saturday.

READ: Fire hits residential area in Sta. Cruz, Manila

Firefighters had to punch through the nearby Manila City Jail to prevent the fire from spreading.  Some patients at the nearby Fabella Hospital were also evacuated to its covered court to avoid smoke suffocation.

Lacuban also reported that five civilians and a fireman sustained minor injuries during the fire.  No casualties were reported as of the time.   /muf