Tondo fire leaves 760 homeless

MANILA, Philippines — More than 700 people lost their homes in a fire in Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila on Thursday night. Around 212 families or 760 individuals are staying in modular tents at the Baseco Evacuation Center, according to Rio Pangan, acting chief of the city social welfare department’s Baseco office.

Pangan said the figure may rise as many families have yet to be listed as fire victims.

The blaze was said to have started on the second floor of a house on Block 17, Old Site at around 7:40 p.m., the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported.

The flames spread quickly to around 100 houses, most of them made of light materials. The fire reached fourth alarm at past 8:30 p.m.

The Philippine Coast Guard declared the part of the Pasig River where most of the affected houses were built a no-sail zone as the fire raged on.

Firefighters declared the blaze under control at 9:36 p.m. and put out the flames at past midnight yesterday. 

No one was killed or injured in the blaze, which caused property damage worth approximately P1 million, the BFP said.

The city government would provide hot meals and attend to the health needs of displaced residents, Pangan said.

Mayor Isko Moreno assured the fire victims that the city government would take care of them.

Blaze hits Mandaluyong condo

Meanwhile, at least 25 families were evacuated from a condominium in Mandaluyong City after a fire broke out in the building on Thursday afternoon.

The BFP said the fire at the GA Tower 2 along EDSA in Barangay Malamig started at around 12:56 p.m. and reached first alarm.

Arson probers said the fire originated at the garbage chute at the basement of the building.

Around 25 families or 50 persons were evacuated as smoke wafted to the upper floors.

The fire was put out at around 2:12 p.m., the BFP said.

No one was killed or injured in the fire, which destroyed P1.76 million worth of property. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Thirty-one fire trucks and four ambulances responded to the scene.

Philippine Red Cross volunteers were present and assisted the BFP in putting out the blaze. – Emmanuel Tupas