One dead in QC fire; affected flyover currently limited to light vehicles

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 24) — A 77-year-old woman died in a fire that hit several houses under a flyover in Barangay Balon Bato in Quezon City early Wednesday, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

Authorities declared the fire out at 8:08 a.m.

The BFP-Quezon City received the alarm around 4 a.m. An hour later, it raised the alarm to fourth level, meaning up to 16 firetrucks were tapped to respond.

Authorities raised concerns on the structural integrity of the flyover as the metals and concrete were under direct heat.

The BFP has yet to disclose the cause of the fire.

During an interview with CNN Philippines’ Balitaan, a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official said the overpass is currently limited to light vehicles and up to six-wheeler closed vans pending a detailed engineering investigation.

“Safe pa naman siyang gamitin (It remains safe for usage),” DPWH-NCR Planning and Design Division chief Brian Briones said.

Briones said the bridge remains “structurally sound,” but the existing retrofitting—the DPWH’s previous work to strengthen the infrastructure—was damaged.