1 dead, several displaced after fire guts apartment in QC

A man was killed and several others were left homeless after a fire broke out in a two-storey apartment building along Zambales Street in Barangay San Martin de Porres in Quezon City at around 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

The blaze quickly engulfed the upper floor of the rental home, prompting the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to raise the first alarm, according to a report by James Agustin on Unang Balita.

At least 13 fire trucks and several fire volunteer groups responded to the incident. Firefighters were able to declare the blaze under control after nearly 30 minutes.

According to a female tenant, she woke up to thick smoke and only had seconds to escape.

“Nu'ng tumayo ako, pagbukas ko ng pinto, umano agad 'yung apoy sa mukha ko... Naalimpungatan na ako, tumakbo na ako palabas. May tumutulo nang apoy, parang styrofoam sa itaas ng kisame,” she said, describing the terrifying scene.

(When I stood up and opened the door, the flames immediately hit my face... I was jolted awake and ran outside. Fire was already dripping down from the ceiling, like melting styrofoam.)

The woman lost all her belongings but said she’s thankful to be alive, calling it her “second life.

“Mahirap na bumalik eh kasi ang bilis kumalat ng apoy doon mismo sa tabi ng kuwarto ko.”

(It’s hard to go back because the fire spread so quickly right next to my room.)

Another male tenant, who also failed to save any belongings, sustained first-degree burns on his shoulder and arm.

Sadly, the fire claimed the life of one male tenant who was trapped in his room on the second floor.

“'Yung ating biktima, natagpuan po sa second floor doon sa kaniyang higaan. Ngayon po, inaalam pa natin ang pagkakakilanlan niya,” said Senior Fire Officer 4 SFO4 Rolando Valeña, arson investigator of the Quezon City Fire District.

(The victim was found on the second floor on his bed. We are still verifying his identity.)

The BFP is currently investigating the cause of the fire, the total cost of damage, and the complete number of tenants who lived in the house. —Sherylin Untalan/KG, GMA Integrated News