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At least 4 dead in San Juan, QC Christmas fires


(Updated 7:59 a.m., 25 December 2012) At least four people were killed in simultaneous fires that razed residential areas in San Juan and Quezon Cities on Christmas Day. Three people died in the Quezon City fire, while another person died in the San Juan City blaze. According to a dzBB radio report, Quezon City Bureau of Fire Protection Superintendent Samuel Tadeo said that they mistook the initial fatality in the Barangay Bungad, Quezon City fire as two people. "Putol ang katawan [ng namatay]. Medyo madilim ang tingin namin kanina, noong una akala namin dalawa ang patay." A separate report by dzBB's Manny Vargas said that the second QC fatality was found, moments later, under some rubble. The third fatality was found shortly after 7 a.m., even as three more were reported missing, according to an updated report. Initial investigation showed the fire started at an eight-door apartment at Rest Haven Street and spread to another eight-door apartment. The fire reached Task Force Charlie before it was placed under control at 6:31 a.m. It was put out at 6:58 a.m. San Juan fire In San Juan City, Bureau of Fire Protection Metro Manila head Chief Superintendent Santiago Laguna said another fire razed 160 houses and affected some 2,000 families. "Yung apektadong pamilya 2,000, ang kabahayan more than 160 houses. Ang damage mga P2.5 million," he said on dzBB radio. Laguna said the fire started shortly after 2 a.m. and reached the general alarm. During the fire, he said residents fought with firefighters for their fire hoses in a bid to save their burning homes. Some residents even drew firearms to intimidate some of the firefighters while others threw stones at the fire trucks in frustration, he said. "Naintindihan namin yan siguro sa takbo ng damdamin," he said. Laguna cited initial information indicating the fire started from a drinking spree that degenerated into a fight. A separate report by dzBB's Glen Juego quoted a local barangay official as saying one of those in the drinking spree was killed. The fatality was initially identified as Michael Muñoz. Investigators are verifying information the men in the drinking spree had talked about setting some houses on fire by dousing them with gasoline. A separate report by dzBB’s Glen Juego quoted a local barangay official as saying one of those in the drinking spree was killed. The fatality was initially identified as Michael Muñoz. However, the village official clarified the killing did not take place during the fire. The San Juan fire was elevated to a general alarm, with all firefighters in the National Capital Region summoned to help put out the blaze. — DVM, GMA News
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