By Earlo Bringas
Eagle News Service
A fire gutted a residential area in Quezon City early Thursday, destroying P500,000 worth of property, and leaving more than 100 families homeless.
Witnesses said the blaze began around 2 a.m. at a junkshop on Commonwealth Ave. in Barangay Old Balara.
Arson investigators said, however, that the origin of the fire was the house of one Alfredo Montemayor.
“Ang initial natin, as reported, nagsimula sa second floor ng bahay ang sunog. Then sinasabi nila sa kuryente nagsimula,” Fire Supt. Manuel Manuel, Quezon City district fire marshal, said.
The fire immediately spread to adjacent houses as they were made of light materials.
Residents even reported hearing explosions as the blaze reached the third alarm.
After two hours, the fire was declared under control.
“Yung nagpahirap dito, yung daanan papasok. Nakontrol sana kaaagad yung sunog dahil yung mga station natin dito, malalapit nalang,” Manuel said.
There were no reported casualties.
The 141 families displaced by the blaze are now staying in nearby evacuation centers.