Fire razes houses inside QC cemetery

A fire broke out beside the Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City yesterday, disrupting visits to the graves of their loved ones by hundreds of people observing All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

- EMMANUEL TUPAS

Arson investigators of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the fire destroyed about 21 shanties along Interior Road. Some 30 families were reportedly affected by the fire which broke out at 9:02 a.m. and put under control at 10:17 a.m.

Investigators said the fire originated on the second floor of a shanty. The cause of the blaze is still unknown.

Thirty-four fire trucks, 21 from the BFP and 13 from volunteer groups, and three ambulances rushed to the scene.

No one was reported hurt in the incident, and investigators estimated the cost of damage to property at P90,000.

Meanwhile, former interior secretary Benhur Abalos urged local government units (LGUs) to strictly regulate cemetery exhumations.

Abalos, who is running for senator in the 2025 midterm elections, expressed concern about the mishandling of the remains. "Every individual deserves a final resting place that is honored and protected," he said.