18 families lose homes in San Mateo, Rizal fire

Eighteen families were rendered homeless by a fire that hit a residential area in San Mateo, Rizal on Monday morning.

In Dano Tingcungco’s report on 24 Oras, the blaze that struck the PAGASA compound in Ampid 1 lasted for half an hour.

At least 23 houses were damaged by the blaze that started past 10 a.m.

Angelica, a resident, said she rushed out of her house to escape the fire and save some children.

Meanwhile, another resident found out that there was a fire in their neighborhood when she went home after asking her doctor to postpone her medical operation.

She said the fire caused slight damage to her house.

According to the San Mateo Fire Station, the wind and humidity coupled with the tight confines of the area made it harder for firefighters to extinguish the flames.

“Light materials po siya kaya madali talaga siyang kumalat. Nahirapan po kami kasi sobrang sikip tapos yung mga pinasukan namin is maraming nakaparking kaya natagalan kami, binuhat pa namin yung mga tricycle doon,” said Fire Officer 1 Elvie Olitresm San Mateo Fire Station arson investigator.

(The fire easily spread because the houses were made of light materials. We found it difficult to reach the fire because the streets were narrow, and vehicles were parked on the side of the road. We even lifted tricycles out of the way so we could pass through.)

There were no injuries or fatalities recorded in the incident.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News