300 families lose homes after fire hits Brgy. Old Balara in QC

Around 300 families lost their homes after a fire hit a compound of informal settlers in Barangay Old Balara in Quezon City early Thursday morning. 

Sunog sa Brgy. Old Balara, QC nasa ikatlong alarma na. @dzbb #FireAlert pic.twitter.com/ijeCo1eV3j

— Divine Reyes (@divinereyes) January 17, 2018

The fire started past 2 a.m. on Zuzuarregui Street and spread quickly as the houses were made of light materials, according to a report by Jay Sabale on Unang Balita. 

A few minutes after 3 a.m., the Bureau of Fire Protection declared that the fire is at third alarm. After one hour, the BFP declared the fire under control. 

More than 50 houses were gutted by the fire. The BFP is investigating its cause.  

Residents could do little but watch as flames engulfed their homes while firefighters worked to quell it. 

The presence of a gas station next to the compound reportedly worried firefighters, but fortunately, its firewall was high and the fuel storage was on the station's other side. 

While other residents scrambled to salvage possessions, the De Juan family pulled away from the fire and into the streets the coffin of a deceased relative they had been holding a wake for. 

The relative was supposed to be buried on Sunday. The family was left wondering, after the fire, when they may be able to push through with the burial. 

Meralco workers were also at the scene to restore damaged power lines, while firefighters kept ensuring the blaze would not rekindle. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/BAP/KG, GMA News