11 perish in Navotas fire

MANILA, Philippines – Eleven people, including a six-month-old baby, died Sunday when a four-hour fire razed a crowded neighborhood in Navotas City.

Superintendent Felix Medes, Navotas City fire marshal, identified 10 of those killed as six-month-old Harvey Agarin, his three-year-old brother Jesse James, their mother Jennifer, and grandfather William.

Also found dead were their neighbors Jerod Salonga, 12; Natalia Salonga, 11; Angela Salonga, 10; George Milagroso, Gerald Blancaflor, and John Blancaflor.



Some barangay officials said a resident also died of heart attack during the fire but the city fire office said they have yet to determine if the incident was related to the blaze.

Arson probers said the fire destroyed a public elementary school and more than 100 homes. Most of those killed were burned beyond recognition and were apparently trapped inside their homes.

Initial report showed that the fire which hit A. Leongson Extension Street in Barangay San Roque started at 11:08 p.m. Saturday at the house of one of the victims before it was placed under control some four hours later.

Senior Fire Officer 4 Zaldy Bajado said the area is crowded with a mixture of shanties and concrete structures some of which can be reached only through narrow alleys.

“We had a hard time putting out the fire because of narrow streets which were full of belongings of the residents trying to salvage whatever they could,” a firefighter said.

About 100 houses were burned to the ground. The fire damaged a building of the San Roque Elementary School nearby.

The city’s social welfare office said the fire victims are currently being housed inside the San Roque High School.

source: mb.com.ph