Arson probers peg damage in Tondo fire at P1M

MANILA, Philippines - Arson investigators pegged the damage in the fire that razed at least 100 houses in Manila's Tondo district Thursday at P1 million. Three people died in the incident. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that firefighters also kept watch over the still-smoldering site of the fire to make sure the blaze does not restart. Local authorities were still mapping out plans on how to help the 500 families rendered homeless by the fire, which lasted nearly four hours. They called for help in providing the families with food, water and blankets. A family of three was killed and two were injured, while 500 families lost their homes to the predawn fire that started at 2:06 a.m. and was placed under control past 6 a.m. Killed were Manuela Palatan, 52; live-in partner Elias Manlangit, 54; and son Kenneth "Buboy" Palatan, 15. The three suffocated while trying to escape along an alley. Injured were Eric Sanita, 19, at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital; and J.R. Villanueva of the Paco Fire Brigade. Sanita was injured after getting sideswiped by a fire truck. The fire also destroyed 100 houses stacked side by side. Each house contained three to five families, arson investigators said. Local government officials are eyeing using some classrooms of the nearby Tondo High School as a temporary evacuation site. Arson investigators are verifying reports that a candle left unattended started the fire. Initial investigation showed a brownout hit the area before the fire started. It was the second fire since a fire believed caused by a toppled candle razed a shanty at a dumpsite in Luzon village, Taytay, Rizal, killing three children. - GMANews.TV