4 firefighters injured in Sampaloc fire

Four members of the Bureau of Fire Protection were reportedly injured after a part of a building collapsed during a fire that broke out at Calamba corner Sisa streets in Sampaloc, Manila on Wednesday.

According to a Super Radyo dzBB report by Sam Nielsen, the firefighters only received minor injuries and were treated by paramedics.

BFP reports stated that the first alarm was declared at 12:39 p.m., and second alarm at 12:46 p.m.

The fire was declared under control by 1:31 p.m. and out by 2:21 p.m.

The fire reportedly affected a total of 15 families and three apartments, with damage was estimated at around P1,680,000. There were no fatalities.

“Sobrang bigat ng tubig na na-accumulate sa taas kaya gumuho yung nasa taas, at the same time marupok na rin po ang kahoy . Nagkaroon kasi ng verification sa loob, tinitingnan nila ang loob, naga-assessment sila saktong gumuho sa itaas,” said Department District Fire Marshal Fire Superindent Leo Andiso in a 24 Oras report with Mark Salazar on Wednesday.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, but initial reports said it originated from the second floor of an unoccupied apartment.

“Wala naman altar at wala naman nagluluto doon, so probably ang tinitingnan naming anggulo ay sa electrical connection. Baka nagkaroon ng short circuiting yung mga kuryente dahil nga po sa ulan,” Andiso said.

Pets die in other fire

Another fire hit a three-storey residential building at Palawan corner Mindoro streets, also in Sampaloc, past 2 p.m.

According to the building's owner, she saw her refrigerator burning and tried to stop the fire from spreading.

“Naamoy ko paglabas ko nasusunog na ang [refrigerator]. Nagbasa ako ng basahan, tapos itinaklob ko sa ano e… kaso nasa isang ref na gumapang na,” said the victim.

The blaze was declared out at 3:21 p.m. The BFP conducted a rescue operation for the victims’ two dogs, which were found dead from smoke inhalation.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL/BM, GMA Integrated News