Broken electric fan seen as cause of fire in Valenzuela City

A broken electric fan is being considered as the cause of a fire that broke out in Valenzuela City early Wednesday, a report on Unang Balita said.

The fire razed 25 houses before dawn, and one fire volunteer was injured, GMA News' Victoria Tulad reported.

The fire occurred at the Telecom Compound in Brgy. Karuhatan past 1 a.m.

HAPPENING NOW: Fire razes houses in Brgy.Karuhatan, Valenzuela; alarm has reached Task Force Alpha. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/tXLZFnlVFB

— Victoria Tulad (@victoriatulad) September 20, 2016

The Bureau of Fire Protection immediately raised the Task Force Alpha alarm since the houses were made of light materials.

"Tinaas natin agad (ang alarm) kasi light materials 'yung mga bahay. Ang may katabi siyang ospital na vital installation," Supt. Jonas Silvano, Valenzuela City fire marshall, said.

Some fire trucks ran out of water so residents helped get water for the firemen's use.

Other residents scrambled to take out their belongings from their houses.

However, some residents were not able to save anything from their houses since the safety of their children was their priority.

The injured fire volunteer was immediately given medical attention.

The fire was put under control at 3 a.m.

Firemen said they had difficulty putting out the fire since the roads were narrow.

They are investigating the cause of the fire which may be a broken electric fan that was plugged into an outlet.

However, they are also probing if the use of a jumper cable caused the fire.

Damage was estimated to cost P300,000. 

A barangay security officer told GMA News the affected residents may possibly stay at the barangay hall for the meantime. —KG, GMA News