Unattended rice cooking eyed as cause of Pasig fire; 140 families displaced
Authorities are eyeing unattended rice cooking as the cause of a fire that swept through a residential area in Pasig City on Friday, April 17, displacing around 140 families.
Part of a residential area affected by fire in Barangay Bagong Ilog, Pasig City. (Photo from East Pasig Filipino Chinese Fire and Rescue Volunteer Group Inc.)
According to TXTFIRE Philippines, the fire started at 11:53 a.m. and reached a second alarm at 11:59 a.m. in Pook Maligaya, Sgt. Pascua, Barangay Bagong Ilog. It was extinguished at around 2:59 p.m.
In an interview, Barangay Bagong Ilog said that initial investigation points to unattended rice cooking as one of the possible causes of the fire. The homeowner reportedly left briefly to buy something and returned to find the house already on fire.
At least 33 houses made of light materials were reportedly damaged. Some vehicles were also affected by the fire, with at least three confirmed so far.
As of 6 p.m., barangay personnel are preparing dinner for fire victims currently staying at Bagong Ilog Elementary School.
Authorities are still investigating the total damage and the exact cause of the fire.