QC fire evacuees take shelter in wildlife center

MAY 23, 2018 Fire broke out in a residential area that reached 5th alarm in Brgy. Vasra, Sitio Palanan, North Avenue, Quezon City. INQUIRER PHOTO/ JAM STA ROSA

Around 300 families were left homeless by a three-hour fire in Quezon City on Wednesday night, some of them forced to take shelter inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center.

The fire started around 5:05 p.m. and swept through the neighborhood on Asparagus Street in Sitio Plana, Barangay Vasra, according to QC Fire Marshall Supt. Manuel Manuel.

At least four minors sustained injuries, the official said.

Hundreds of affected families of the fire at Brgy. Vasra, North Avenue is temporarily evacuated at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City. INQUIRER PHOTO/ JAM STA ROSA

Tents set up in park

Ares Gutierrez, the city’s public information office chief, said the local social welfare department decided to use the wildlife center as temporary shelter for the displaced families. Tents were already set up in the area even before the fire was declared out at 8:32 p.m.

The local government would be providing them food and construction materials to help them rebuild their homes, Gutierrez said.

The fire reportedly started at the three-story house owned by Rodney Pedragoza. As the cause remained under investigation, Manuel said there were initial accounts of two neighbors having an altercation shortly before the fire started. —WITH A REPORT FROM ANTHONY ESGUERRA, INQUIRER.NET