Busy day for firefighters as 8 fires hit Metro

One of the hottest days of the year turned out to be one of the busiest for firefighters in Metro Manila as well. A total of eight fires broke out in the metropolis - more than half of them in Manila - Tuesday, leaving at least 80 people homeless. In Manila, radio dzBB's Teresa Tavares reported that a fire of still undetermined origin razed a row of houses and warehouses near the corner of C.M. Recto Avenue and Asuncion Street in Divisoria past 7 p.m. There was no initial report of casualties, but residents rushed out of their homes, taking with them whatever belongings they could. Electricity in the area was also cut off as the fire reached Task Force Charlie.

The report said firefighters also kept close watch on a gas station near the area, but said a firewall there can afford it some protection. Earlier in the day, radio dzRH reported at least 80 people lost their homes in a fire that razed at least six houses along Leveriza Street in Manila's Malate district. The fire, which started at 3 p.m., reached the third alarm and took firefighters at least an hour to put out. Most of the razed houses were made of light materials. In Quezon City, fires were reported along Luzon Avenue and at a commercial establishment in the Balintawak area. The fire along Luzon Avenue reached the fifth alarm, while the fire in Balintawak reached Task Force Alpha. At about 4 p.m., another fire hit a residential-squatter area in Manila's Tondo district, reaching the third alarm before it was eventually placed under control. A fire incident was also reported at a commercial establishment near the Tutuban Center at the corner of Roman Street and C.M. Recto Avenue in Manila. It was put out shortly. Another fire occurred in the Balic-Balic area in Manila, and another at a residential area along Pilapil Street in Pasig City. It reached the fifth alarm. The country is observing Fire Prevention Month. - KBK, GMANews.TV