Fire hits Mandaluyong shanty area

MANILA, Philippines—Fire gutted a shanty community in Mandaluyong City early Monday,  just hours after a separate fire hit three houses in another area, leaving four people dead, a city fire officer said.

Fire Officer 3 Francisco Domanguera of Mandaluyong City-Bureau of Fire Protection said the fire blazed through still undetermined number of makeshift houses along Matinez Street in Barangay (village) Addition Hills.

Domanguera said the fire started past 7 a.m. and reached fourth alarm before it was put out at 9:58 a.m.

No report on injuries or casualties has reached their office, he said, adding that post fire investigations were still ongoig.

On Sunday evening, four people, including three children, were killed when fire gutted their home along San Roque Street in Barangay Ilaya, Mandaluyong City.

Domanguera identified the fatalities as Blitz Santos, 20; a certain Andrei, 4; Yui, 2; and Chelsea, 1.

A radio report said the fatalities were all found inside their comfort room, where they were probably trapped as metal grills cover the windows.

He said the fire was reported to them at 8:55 p.m. and was declared first to second alarm at 9 p.m., placed under control some 20 minutes later, and was put out at 9:25 p.m.

“Mabilis lang yung sunog, baka lang hindi nareport kaagad,” he said.