Fire razes residential area in Tondo, five children dead

MANILA, Philippines — Five children died in a residential fire in Tondo, Manila on Monday.

Initial reports from Manila Arson Chief Senior Inspector Reden Alumni confirmed that the five siblings suffered burns and suffocation from the blaze that reached fourth alarm. One of them was transported to Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Hospital but did not survive.

The casualties are aged one, four, five, seven and 12.

Reports said six children were left home and were locked from the outside when the fire hit their three-story house along Laperal Street corner Herbosa Street in Tondo. One of the six siblings managed to escape by jumping through a window and called on his big brother to jump.

However, the big brother stayed and tried to save their other siblings.

According to fire volunteer Txt Fire, the fire in Barangay 91, Tondo, Manila was reported around 9:15 a.m.

It reached fourth alarm at 9:51 a.m. and was declared under control by 11:24 a.m.

Philippine Red Cross chair Sen. Richard Gordon said PRC responded to the fire immediately. The volunteers helped put out the blaze by dispatching two fire trucks and two ambulances and providing first-aid assistance.

The fire was officially out by 1:33 p.m.

Fire at Tioco Street, Tondo, Manila that reached the fourth alarm now under control as of 11:25 PM. | Photos by Ernie Penaredondo pic.twitter.com/UJasrqhkIq

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) August 27, 2018

Meanwhile, the Office of the President vowed to shoulder funeral expenses for the five fire fatalities and provide assistance to those affected by the fire.

The fire victims evacuated at the covered court of Barangay 91. —Rosette Adel