Heavy vehicles barred from passing through Quezon Bridge after fire

Heavy vehicles were temporarily barred from passing through the Quezon Bridge in Quiapo, Manila, after a fire razed a community of shanties under it Thursday morning.

“As of the moment only light vehicles are allowed to pass the bridge pending the result of the investigation,” said Reynaldo Tagundando, public works director in the National Capital Region.

Motorists were advised to use Jones, McArthur and Ayala bridges going to and from the affected area.

“Stockpiling of vehicles should be avoided due to the weakened structure of Quezon Bridge," Tagundando said.

Engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways were conducting inspection on the structure to check its structural integrity following the fire.

Six children, including a nine-month-old baby, were hurt in the fire blamed on unattended candle, a report on “24 Oras” said.

All the victims were siblings and were rushed to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center for treatment, the report said. One of them suffered third-degree burns on her back.

“Wala raw kasing kuryente rito mula alas sais ng umaga hanggang alas singko ng hapon... madilim pa sa loob kaya may mga kandila pa,” said Fire Inspector Generoso Juico of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Manila said in the “24 Oras” report.

The report said some 50 shanties were in the area housing over 70 families. — KBK, GMA News