Fires hit 3 Bulacan towns over the weekend

Separate fires occurred in Bocaue, Plaridel, and San Rafael towns in Bulacan, damaging dozens of homes and a warehouse on the first weekend of Fire Prevention Month.

According to a 24 Oras Weekend report by Jamie Santos on Sunday, a fire gutted a residential area at Sitio Bihunan, Barangay Biñang 1st in Bocaue on Saturday night.

Over 50 houses and some 50 families were affected in the incident. No casualties were reported as of posting time.

The blaze quickly spread due to the strong winds. The houses were made of light wooden materials.

Residents in Sitio Bihunan said they heard an explosion shortly before the fire began.

"May sumabog. Eh 'di siyempre, nagtakbuhan kami," said one of the victims.

(Something exploded. Of course, we ran.)

"May babae akong nakausap. Nagsimula raw sa kuryente, sa wire. Siguro nag-spark. Ayun, nagdire-direcho. Lumaki iyong sunog sa lakas ng hangin," said the barangay captain.

(I was able to talk to a woman who said the fire started from electrical wires. Looks like these sparked, then spread due to strong winds.)

Responders had difficulty controlling the fire, which reached the first alarm at around 6 p.m. Saturday.

In Plaridel, a warehouse for motorcycle parts caught fire at an industrial park in Barangay Parulan at about 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Both fires were declared out early by early Sunday morning. Authorities are investigating the incidents.

Meanwhile, GMA Integrated News Bulletin reported Sunday that a grass fire occurred near a fireworks factory in Barangay Maronquillo, San Rafael.

Explosive materials outside the factory were affected, although the structure itself was undamaged. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VDV, GMA Integrated News