Photo from Paranaque BFP
A blaze ripped through a Paranaque City neighborhood in Barangay San Antonio Valley 1 late Wednesday night, May 6, injuring three people and displacing 1,800 residents.
According to SFO3 Giovanni Corbes, arson investigator of the Parañaque Bureau of Fire Protection, one of the injured victims was identified as Raygie Vasquez, 43, who sustained lacerated wounds on his left foot. The identities of two other victims have yet to be confirmed.
The fire reportedly started at a three-story residential house owned by Elmer Opamil in Barangay San Antonio Valley I.
Authorities said the fire broke out at around 11:12 p.m. on Wednesday and escalated to Task Force Alpha at 2:36 a.m. Thursday, May 7. The blaze was declared under control at around 5:40 a.m.
Investigators said the fire originated on the ground floor of the three-story house before rapidly spreading to nearby homes in the densely populated community.
The incident damaged around 300 houses, affecting about 600 families or an estimated 1,800 individuals.
Initial estimates placed the damage to property at around P900,000.
Ninety-four fire trucks responded to the incident, including 29 from the BFP and 65 from volunteer fire brigades.
Displaced residents temporarily took shelter at San Antonio Elementary School while authorities continue assessing the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage.