Electrical short circuit seen as cause of fire in Navotas

MANILA, Philippines—Investigators are looking at an electrical short circuit as the cause of fire that hit a residential block in Navotas City before dawn Monday, resulting to the death of one and injury of two others, a city fire officer said.

Fire Officer 2 Celso Alivio said three houses made of light materials were gutted by fire along J. Alonzo Street in Barangay (village) Daanghan in Navotas City at 3:27 a.m.

The fire reached the third alarm before it was put out at 5:20 a.m., and resulted to the death of Alberto Garia, who probably suffered suffocation, Alivio said.

He also said residents identified as Rosita and Gabriel Cruz sustained minor injuries.

In all, three families were affected by the fire, and it caused roughly P1 million-worth of damage.

“Initial investigation is looking at an electrical short circuit incident, but investigators are still looking at other possible cause,” Alivio said.