450 families lose homes in QC fire

About 450 families were affected by a fire that destroyed 150 houses at Barangay San Antonio in Quezon City Tuesday.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," initial investigation showed that the blaze, which reached Task Force Bravo alarm, may have been caused by an unattended stove.

After razing houses for five hours, it was declared under control past 3 p.m.

No deaths were reported, but five people, including two firefighters, sustained minor injuries.

The ongoing water interruption in the area reportedly made it difficult for firefighters to put out the blaze.

"Nagsabay pa sa du'n sa water interruption kaya 'yung hydrant nagkulang ng supply," Chief Inspector Joseph del Mundo, chief of the Quezon City Fire Department, said.

"Kahit ano pong tawag namin para dagdagan ang pressure talaga pong kulang. Hanggang ngayon po, kulang pa rin po pressure ang hydrant natin," he added.

Over 50 firetrucks responded at the scene. Residents were also seen trying to refill water tanks by hand. 

As the homes were mostly made of light materials, the fire reportedly spread rapidly due to strong winds and hot weather.

The affected residents have been relocated to a basketball court in the barangay. 

The fire also destroyed a sofa factory and warehouse. "Pagbalik ko, nasunog na," the owner said. —Margaret Claire Layug/ LDF, GMA News