1 injured, 1,200 families affected in fire that hit residential area in Pasay

The fire raged through a Pasay City neighborhood, displacing 1,200 families. (Photo courtesy of ichanmrg via Twitter)

MANILA — A 54-year old woman got hurt and more than 1,000 families were affected after a fire engulfed a residential area in Pasay City before noon Thursday, a fire official said.

The injured person identified as Wilma Martin, who was immediately rushed to the hospital after having difficulty in breathing caused by too much intake of smoke.

Chief Inspector Douglas Guiab of the Pasay City Fire Marshall said the fire started around 11 a.m. The blaze originated from Martin’s house in Virginia Extension, Barangay 130, Zone 13, M. Dela Cruz, Pasay City.

According to witnesses, Guiab said, an unattended candle may have caused the blaze that started at Martin’s house which has no electricity at the time the fire erupted.

Guiab said the fire quickly spread to other houses made up of light materials. Fire trucks had a hard time reaching the place due to narrow road leading to the residential area.

He said the fire lasted for two hours and reached “Task Force Bravo” alarm before it was declared fire out at 1:30 p.m.

The blaze consumed about 400 houses in the area and around 1,200 families were affected.

Arson investigators are still determining the damage caused by the fire.

The affected families were evacuated to the gym and barangay hall. The Pasay city government vowed to extend assistance to the fire victims.