20 families lose homes in Manila fire

At least 20 families lost their homes as fire broke out in Sampaloc, Manila, James Agustin reported Wednesday on Saksi.

According to the investigation, the fire along G. Tuazon corner Dela Fuente Street in Barangay 185 began at 5 p.m.

The blaze reached the second alarm and was extinguished at 6:18 p.m.

Authorities estimated at least 13 houses were burned.

A fire also broke out in Barangay Pasong Tamo in Quezon City.

Residents helped a 65-year-old man who was trapped in the burning house.

The blaze burned the house and the man sustained burns.

The man said he saw the fire when he woke up on their sofa.  He added that he called for help when he failed to put out the fire but he was not able to open the gate.

Resident Jhan Jhan Macabenta said they ran to the house as they saw smoke from afar.  Another resident James Recaña said they forcibly opened the gate to free the man.

Based on Bureau of Fire (BFP) - National Capital Region data in July, the number of fire incidents increased by 13% compared to 2023.

Another fire hit a residential area in Bacoor, Cavite early Wednesday.

The blaze reached the second alarm and took three hours before it was extinguished.

A senior citizen died due to inhalation of smoke.

Authorities are investigating the cause and the damage that was incurred in the three fire incidents. 

In Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, a fire broke out on the rooftop of a commercial building.  The fire came from garbage.

There were no reported casualties or injured persons in the incident.

Meanwhile, a fire razed 20 temporary stalls in a market in San Rafael town, Iloilo.—Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News