Authorities reported that a second-alarm fire broke out along 4th Avenue in Grace Park, Barangay 118 in Caloocan City in the early hours of Sunday, 29 December.

Initial investigations showed that the fire broke out around 2:47 a.m. and was raised to a second alarm by 3:15 a.m. It was declared under control by 4:46 a.m., and eventually extinguished by 5:36 a.m.

One resident died while attempting to recover cash during the fire.

The body of the 39-year-old man was recovered on the second floor of his house around 6:40 a.m. by members of the Northern Police District-Forensic Unit (NPD-FU) with the assistance of a local funeral parlor.

According to FO3 Zarneil Torrazo of BFP-Caloocan City, the estimated damage from the fire is about P200,000.

The fire damaged at least 20 houses, affecting 50 families, or at least 100 individuals.

Based on the initial investigation, the fire originated on the second floor of a three-story house owned by a certain Michael Ador.

FO3 Michael Calderon said that the arson probers are still investigating the source of the fire.

Upon entering the area, firefighters encountered cramped pathways leading to the fire, making their entry difficult.

A total of 30 firetrucks responded in the area.

This marks the second fire within the vicinity, as another second-alarm fire took place in the neighboring Barangay 120 last Friday.