A second alarm fire burned homes and a missionary training center in Antipolo City, Rizal, which caused around P10 million worth of damage on Thursday night, Feb. 13.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said that the fire started at around 9:37 p.m. in a house in Barangay San Isidro.
Firefighters said that the affected houses were made of light materials, prompting them to raise a second alarm at around 9:40 p.m.
Authorities reported that the fire destroyed four houses and displaced five families in the area.
“Mabilis kumalat [apoy] dahil sa magkakamag-anak 'yung nasa area, magkakalapit 'yung bahay and light materials yung nadamay, nasunog (The fire spread quickly because the houses were close to each other, since the residents were relatives, and the affected structures were made of light materials),” said Antipolo BFP Fire Marshall Senior Fire Officer 3 (SFO3) Lecerio Deunas.
Meanwhile, despite the incident, Bro. Omar Dalumpines of the missionary house remains positive, believing that God has a plan.
“Ako nung malaman ko pa lang, I know that God has a plan. May mabuti siyang bagay... all things work together for His purpose, kasi may magandang plano ang Lord sa mga bagay sa hinaharap (When I first found out, I knew that God had a plan. There’s something good ahead... all things work together for His purpose because the Lord has a great plan for things in the future),” he said.
The BFP extinguished the fire at around 11:35 p.m.
The barangay immediately provided initial assistance to residents affected by the fire, who are currently staying with their relatives.
Arson investigators are still investigating the cause of the fire.