Up to 4,000 families reportedly lost their homes, and one person died of a heart attack after a fire swept through a residential area in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City, Friday night into early Saturday morning.
According to a “24 Oras” Weekend report by Bea Pinlac on Saturday, the fire quickly spread along NIA Road, engulfing houses mostly made of light materials.
Strong winds worsened the blaze, according to authorities.
Several homes collapsed, and LPG tanks inside the houses reportedly exploded.
Barangay officials, who were among those affected, estimated that up to 4,000 families may have lost their homes.
“Mga 80% to 95% ‘yung nasalanta ng sunog. Siguro quick estimate mga nasa 4,000 o higit pa, families,” said Barangay Pinyahan Councilor Anna Olarte Aspen.
(About 80-95% of the area was affected by the fire. The quick estimate is around 4,000 or more families.)
A 51-year-old man suffered a heart attack amid the chaos. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
The fire prompted a Task Force Bravo response, with about 100 fire trucks and volunteers deployed. Four people were reported injured.
“Meron pong laceration, may possible dislocation ng braso. Meron din po isang fire brigade na nakagat ng aso habang nagpa-firefighting,” said Fire Superintendent Roberto Samillano Jr., Quezon City Fire Marshal.
(There was a laceration and a possible arm dislocation. One fire brigade member was also bitten by a dog while firefighting.)
Maintaining water supply was challenging, as nearby hydrants were limited. Residents helped firefighters before the blaze was finally extinguished at 5 a.m. on Saturday.
The BFP estimated the damage at nearly P4 million. Investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing.
Meanwhile, a separate fire gutted around 200 stalls at the Binangonan Public Market in Rizal. No injuries or deaths were reported.
The market fire reached third alarm, and authorities are still investigating its cause.—Jamil Santos/MCG, GMA Integrated News
