1 killed, 4 hurt as fire razes QC residential area

(Updated 8:45 a.m.) At least one person was reported killed while some 1,500 families face a bleak Christmas after losing their homes to a fire in Pinyahan village in Quezon City before dawn Sunday. Some 500 houses were affected in the fire that started at 1:18 a.m. and was placed under control at 5 a.m., radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus reported. The report said many of the families had no choice but to stand along the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Road as their houses burned down. Arson investigators estimated some P7 million in damage to property, even as they verify information the fire stemmed from a candle left unattended at the second floor of a house owned by one Ronilo Pangatungan. Volunteer group TXTFire indicated the fire reached Task Force Charlie. TXTFire said the fire was put out before 7 a.m. — LBG, GMA News