QUEZON CITY — One person died and several others were left homeless after a fire engulfed a two-storey apartment on Zambales Street, Barangay San Martin de Porres, around 2 a.m. on Wednesday.
The blaze, which quickly consumed the upper floor of the residential building, prompted authorities to raise the first alarm, according to a report by James Agustin on Unang Balita. Thirteen fire trucks and multiple volunteer groups responded to the emergency and brought the situation under control within 30 minutes.
A female tenant recounted her narrow escape, saying she woke up to choking smoke and was nearly caught by the flames. “When I opened the door, the fire hit my face. It was already dripping from the ceiling like melted styrofoam,” she said. Despite losing all her possessions, she expressed gratitude for surviving, calling it her “second life.”
Another tenant sustained minor burns while trying to escape. Tragically, one male resident was found lifeless in his room on the second floor.
“The victim was discovered on his bed upstairs. We are still working to confirm his identity,” said SFO4 Rolando Valeña of the Quezon City Fire District.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is currently investigating the cause of the fire, assessing the total damage, and determining the exact number of affected tenants.