One dead in fire that hit Bgy. Sto. Domingo, QC; 90 houses razed

A senior citizen died, two residents were hurt and 90 houses were razed when fire engulfed a residential area in Barangay Sto. Domingo in Quezon City on Sunday afternoon.

The fire broke out past 5 p.m. along Don Pepe Street, according to a report by James Agustin on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday.

The fatality was identified as Angelita Unite, 65, whose body was found in the restroom.

Investigation showed that Unite was able to evacuate her house when fire struck, but went back to retrieve some belongings.

Her family however refused to give a statement.

One of the two injured residents was a four-year-old boy.

The fire quickly spread since the houses were made of light materials, and damaged a part of the Philippine Buddhacare Academy.

The Bureau of Fire Protection raised the fifth alarm as the blaze continued raging.

Some residents went on rooftops of neighboring houses carrying pails of water to help firemen put out the fire.

Firemen had to smash a wall to get to the roof to reach burning homes.

Residents took what they could from their houses as they evacuated.

The fire was put out around 9:30 p.m.

The BFP is still investigating the cause of the fire which was said to have started at the third floor of a house being rented out.

Damage is estimated to reach P750,000.

Affected residents sought shelter temporarily at the covered court of Barangay Talayan and spent the night there using modular tents provided by the barangay. Others stayed near the fire scene.

Mga residenteng nasunugan sa Brgy. Sto. Domingo Quezon City, pansamantalang tumutuloy sa covered court ng Brgy. Talayan. 180 pamilya ang naapektuhan, 90 bahay ang natupok, 1 residente ang nasawi sa sunog na umabot sa ikalimang alarma. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/nVfyT3K9rZ

— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) January 19, 2020

A total of 180 families were affected by the fire.

Affected residents appealed for assistance since many of them were not able to save any of their belongings. —KG, GMA News