A massive fire ripped through a residential area in Barangay 93, Tondo, Manila early Tuesday morning, destroying dozens of homes and displacing more than a hundred families.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the blaze broke out just after 3 a.m. and quickly escalated to a third alarm as flames rapidly spread among the closely packed houses made mostly of light materials.
Despite the swift response of over 50 firefighters and volunteers, strong winds and the flammable nature of the structures made it extremely difficult to control the fire.
“It was challenging because of the strong winds and the materials used in the homes. They caught fire quickly,” said Fire Inspector Ronald Lim, commander of BFP Manila Station 1.
Residents escaped with nothing
For many residents, the fire left them with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Jessie Cuvico, who suffers from a heart condition, managed only to grab his medication before fleeing his burning home.
“I couldn’t breathe properly because of the thick smoke. I was panicking. It was terrifying,” Jessie recalled.
Another resident, Benniejen Obado, prioritized her children’s safety and even helped save her neighbor’s pets.
“I told my kids to go down quickly. We only managed to bring what we were wearing—and my two dogs,” she said.
Temporary shelter and aid efforts
Displaced families are now taking refuge in the barangay’s covered gym. Barangay Chairman Reynaldo Tan said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be providing modular tents for those who cannot be accommodated indoors.
“We’re setting up tents for the families. Others may need to build makeshift shelters nearby,” Tan explained.
Initial estimates place the property damage at around PHP 100,000. BFP investigators believe the fire may have originated from an electrical issue on the second floor of one of the homes.
Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported, and by a little past 7 a.m., firefighters declared the blaze fully extinguished.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, while relief efforts for the affected families are now underway.