P1.5M in property lost to fire in QC amid rains

MANILA, Philippines — An hour-long fire broke out in a residential area in Quezon City despite overnight rains, destroying an estimated P1.5 million in property in its wake.

The house of Lauro Marinas Yicson, 25, an employee of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, in St. Dominic 1, Project 6, Barangay Bahay Toro, was damaged by the blaze, which began at 10:20 a.m.

No one was injured in the fire which raged despite a continuous downpour in Metro Manila Monday morning.

Supt. Bobby Baruelo, city fire marshall, said the fire reportedly originated from the second-floor bedroom of the owner’s young daughter, Lhorine.

Luckily for the child, Lhorine was at school when the blaze started and even reached the third alarm.

Baruelo said the flames persisted even with constant rains because the water from the raindrops evaporated fast.

Arson investigators have yet to determine the source of the fire, which was eventually placed under control at around 10:45 a.m and extinguished at 11:10 a.m.