Baby killed, 5 hurt in Quezon City fire

A baby was killed while at least five people were injured, while nearly 900 residents lost their homes in a fire that hit a residential area in Quezon City Monday afternoon and was put out only Monday night. The baby, who was not immediately identified, was left inside one of the burning houses in Culiat village, radio dzBB reported early Tuesday. It quoted the infant's mother as saying that she left the infant to the care of a neighbor as many residents were busy saving their children and belongings during the fire. She lamented that when she returned to their house, the fire had already gone out of control. At least five people were hurt, including one who tried to jump out the window of their house. Firefighters put out the fire past 9 p.m., even as arson investigators suspect an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire due to the illegal electrical connections used by many residents in the area. On Tuesday morning, residents said their main problem was getting food and shelter. "Lord, presidente, sana manghingi kami kaunting tulong lang po (God, President Aquino, we ask for some help)," one of them said.

Scrap metal dealers On Tuesday morning, a separate report by dzBB's Manny Vargas said many of the residents in Culiat sought to recover from their loss, selling what was left of the houses to junk shop dealers. The report said many of the residents sold burned metal portions of their houses to the dealers at P9 per kilo, and scrap metal at P14 per kilo. 3 other fires Monday's fire at Culiat village was one of at least four fires that hit Metro Manila on Monday. Earlier Monday, fire hit a residential area near the Bureau of Internal Revenue Compound along BIR Road. Many of the residents spent Monday night at the center island. On Monday afternoon, another fire hit a residential area in Caloocan City, razing at least 20 houses in Barangay 22. Arson investigators suspect an electrical short circuit caused the fire. Also on Monday, a fire razed some houses in West Rembo in Makati City. No one was initially reported injured in the Makati fire. — RSJ, GMA News