Malabon neighborhood put under state of calamity as fire displaced 1,000 families

The local government of Malabon City has placed Barangay Catmon under a state of calamity, as the fire that hit the neighborhood on Thursday displaced 1,000 families.

Malabon City Council Secretariat confirmed in a phone interview with Inquirer.net on Friday that Mayor Len Oreta’s declaration has been approved after the city council held an “emergency session” on Thursday night.

“Opo, nag-declare ng state of calamity kagabi, nag-emergency session sila (city council),” Council Secretariat Admin Officer Jaime Chua said.

According to Malabon Fire officials, a total of 450 houses made up of light materials were razed in the fire, which reached Task Force Bravo alarm.

Investigators estimated the initial cost of damages from the fire at P4.5 million.

“Ang cause of fire is under investigation pa rin po, pero ang origin of fire (was) on top of the roof of a house owned by a certain Leonila Cortez,” said Fire Officer 3 Zea Mae Clemente.           /kga