Fire hits Tondo after fiesta celebration

MANILA, Philippines - Fire of still undetermined origin razed a residential area in Manila's Tondo district before dawn Monday. Radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported that the fire started at Brgy. 53 Zone 4 shortly before 4 a.m. - a day after residents celebrated a fiesta in the village. The fire sent residents living near the corner of Gabriela and Dagupan Streets scrambling to save their belongings, the report said. At least one person was arrested and brought to the village hall for questioning. It was not immediately clear if the person, initially identified as Balbon Arceo, is suspected to have started the fire or tried to loot some of the burning houses. Village officials and fire marshal Sr. Supt. Pablito Cordeta had to restrain a crowd that gathered outside to mob Arceo. Officials who brought Arceo out of the village hall had to bring him back inside after the mob ganged up on Arceo, opening a wound in his head. Meanwhile, some 4,000 residents affected by last Saturday's fire in Malabon City appealed for help after they were forced to spend the weekend at the city freedom park. Radio dzBB's Bernie Morales reported that the fire, which reached Task Force Bravo in Malabon City Saturday, had destroyed some 800 houses. The residents had to sleep at the center island, some of them taking the streamers and using them as makeshift blankets. Others went back to their burned homes and foraged for food. - GMANews.TV