A 13-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl were injured in a fire that broke out in Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela City on Thursday night, July 31. The fire broke out around 11 p.m. on F. Bautista Street and quickly spread to houses.
Eight houses were completely destroyed and eight families were affected, equivalent to 40 people. According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Valenzuela, the fire was raised to second alarm at around 11:22 PM. Firefighters had difficulty due to the narrow road, but 45 firetrucks responded. The fire was extinguished at 12:18 AM.
Two children sustained injuries; one with second-degree burns and one with minor injuries. According to Fire Senior Inspector Jezreel Malapit, Operations Chief of BFP-Valenzuela, the victims are safe. The estimated cost of damage is about one million pesos.
Residents say they were suddenly woken up by thick smoke. According to one of the victims, none of their belongings were saved. Many of them have yet to recover from the damage of the previous flood.
The BFP is investigating the cause of the fire and believes it was caused by a candle. The affected family is temporarily staying at the barangay hall and has been provided assistance by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
