By JHON ALDRIN CASINAS
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SIX people were injured while more than 1,000 families lost homes when a huge firestruck on Monday a barangay which has the highest number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Mandaluyong City.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire broke out in a residential area on Fabella Street, Block 37 in Barangay Addition Hills at around 5:30 p.m.
As the fire continued to burn more houses, fire officials raised the status to general alarm at around 8:50 p.m.
Residents scrambled to save their belongings as they fled their homes, exposing themselves to the threat of COVID-19.
In a spot report, the BFP said around 800 houses were burned down, affecting
around 1,000 families. It damaged about P2 million worth of property.
The report stated that six people were injured during the fire.
One of them sustained lacerations while others experienced dizziness and hypertension.
Citing initial investigation, Fire Marshal Supt.. Jose Callos Jr. said a male resident allegedly set their house on fire, which then spread to adjacent houses in area.
According to Callos, residents claimed that they overheard the man and his mother having an argument that turned into a commotion inside their residence.
The BFP official said the man allegedly has mental illness. He is now under the
custody of the authorities.
Almost eight hours after it was reported, Callos said the fire was declared out at around 1:40 a.m. on Tuesday.
He added that they had difficulty containing the fire as fire trucks cannot get near the area because of the tight alleyways.
The city fire marshal also said the fire quickly spread because the houses were made with light materials.
Barangay Addition Hills currently has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Mandaluyong City with 124 confirmed cases, seven deaths and 23 recoveries as of June 1, based on the latest data from the City Health Department.
Some parts of the village were recently placed under a week-long “total lockdown”due to the high number of COVID-19 recorded in the area.
Barangay Addition Hills Chairman Carlito Cernal said some families were temporarily housesd at Addition Hills Integrated School while the local government is preparing the possible evacuation sites for the affected residents.
Cernal said others were brought to other schools to prevent overcrowding and ensure that physical distancing is observed.
“We are hoping na susunod ang tao sa mga social distancing protocols,” he said.
“Ang problema nag-GCQ. Wala na ‘yung control ng paglabas ng tao because the quarantine pass is suspended. So ‘yun ‘yung medjo pinoproblema ko sa ngayon,” he added.
Jimmy Isidro, city public information officer and chief-of-staff of Mayor Carnelita Abalos, said the local government will provide the affected residents with modular tents as their temporary shelter.
“Meron kaming tent na itinalaga para hindi sila magkatabi-tabi,” Isidro said.
